Family Responsibilities Commission Amendment Bill 2015

As Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, introduced the bill to add a domestic violence trigger to the FRC Act implementing recommendation 93 of the Not now, not ever report, and to expand delegation of the commissioner's functions to local commissioners.

“The FRC is an essential element of welfare reform and it is a key mechanism to help the community restore local authority and individual responsibility. This bill will further empower the FRC and thereby seek to further empower communities themselves take more responsibility for community members' behaviour.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard

As opposition shadow minister, confirmed the opposition would not oppose the bill. Visited Hope Vale with the member for Caloundra and praised the FRC's positive impact on the community, including improved school attendance and the commissioners' growing expertise.

“Having gone up there, talked to the commissioners and local people and seen the town I can say that this has actually been quite a successful program.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard

As a committee member, supported the bill as an important part of the government's comprehensive response to the Not now, not ever report, noting $31.3 million in investment for high-priority domestic violence initiatives.

“This bill is a very important part of that framework.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard

Congratulated the government on the bill and praised Commissioner David Glasgow's leadership. Visited Hope Vale and noted the domestic violence trigger will only touch the tip of the iceberg, urging more work on underlying problems in remote communities.

“I recommend that the bill be passed, but I want to make it quite clear that, in my opinion, the Not now, not ever report highlights that this bill will touch only the tip of the iceberg.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard

Supported the bill's domestic violence trigger and the delegation of commissioner's functions to local commissioners, noting this would strengthen local authority and create cost savings.

“More significantly than the expected savings, the amendment will increase the recognition of the authority of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander local commissioners.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard

Supported the bill, noting she had visited Aurukun, Coen and Hope Vale. Expressed disappointment the committee could not travel to the five communities and commended the former LNP government for establishing the domestic violence task force.

“As a member representing a regional area, I know how important it is for communities and community members and leaders to talk firsthand with members of parliament about changes to legislation.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard

Supported the bill and emphasised the domestic violence trigger is not a stand-alone measure but part of a holistic approach, noting the government's commitment to all 140 recommendations of the Not now, not ever report.

“Put simply, this bill will extend and improve the operation of the Family Responsibilities Commission, or the FRC, and align the FRC with recommendation 93 of the final report of the Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard

As a committee member, supported the amendments including the domestic violence trigger and expanded commissioner powers, welcoming practical changes to protect vulnerable people.

“Much has been spoken about domestic violence in this 55th Parliament, but it is good to see practical changes being made to further protect the most vulnerable in our society.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard

Spoke in support as chair of the Finance and Administration Committee which monitors the FRC's performance, highlighting the devastating prevalence of domestic violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“For that support alone and for the resourcing and the enabling of that commission to actually deal with this scourge in their communities, I support the bill.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard

As a former minister, praised Commissioner Glasgow and the local commissioners. Supported the empowerment of commissioners and the domestic violence trigger, while urging more action on alcohol and drug trafficking into communities.

“The commissioners, who are overwhelmingly women, do a fantastic job. The more that we can do to further empower them, as this legislation does, is a very good thing.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard

As Minister for Communities and lead minister on domestic violence, supported the domestic violence trigger as a further step in delivering on the government's commitment to the Not now, not ever recommendations.

“As minister with lead responsibility for the government's actions to tackle domestic and family violence, I am particularly pleased that domestic violence is now being added as a trigger.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard

Supported the bill's objectives and spoke about the importance of services to families in isolated Indigenous communities, drawing on his experience with Indigenous education in Townsville and the Quandamooka community on North Stradbroke Island.

“Provision of a range of government services in isolated Indigenous communities is vital.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard

As Minister for Environment, focused on the domestic violence trigger and spoke out against violence against women, noting the challenges of supporting domestic violence victims in remote communities.

“Violence against women is a disgrace. As a husband, as a father of two boys and a girl, and as an MP, I will use every opportunity I have to speak out against violence against women.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard

Supported the bill's domestic violence trigger as important for early identification of domestic violence issues in welfare communities and ensuring access to conferencing benefits.

“The opportunity to participate in a conference in a local language in an informal and confidential setting and to be referred to support services where required are all strengths of conferencing.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard

As Minister for Housing and an Aboriginal woman, shared her personal experience of domestic violence and supported the bill's domestic violence trigger as a culturally sensitive prevention strategy for welfare reform communities.

“Unfortunately, like too many Aboriginal women, I witnessed domestic and family violence as a child. Watching women in my community suffer abuse at the hands of their partner was confusing to say the least.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard

As Minister for Disability Services, supported the bill and spoke about her visit to Aurukun where she met with the FRC, noting the important and complex work of the commission.

“I left the cape heartened by the great work being done on the ground by many people in the community committed to making life better for some of our most disadvantaged Queenslanders.”— 2015-12-01View Hansard