Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Justice spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens welcome the Liberal and Labor parties committing to make non-fatal strangulation a stand-alone offence.
The Coroner, family violence advocates, the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute, and every other state in Australia have demonstrated why it's so important to legislate for non-fatal strangulation to be a stand-alone offence.
The Greens have been strongly advocating for this reform in Parliament*, in the media, and through correspondence with the Attorney-General. Given it's nearly two years since this change was recommended by a Coroner's Report, we're very glad to finally see progress.
The evidence is clear - this is a crucial reform to protect victims of family violence. Making this legislative change will also provide the foundation for increasing awareness, training, and support for those assisting victims.
This reform is long overdue, and we call on whoever forms government to enact this change as a matter of absolute priority. Whatever the election outcome, the Greens will be working to ensure this happens at the earliest opportunity.
*Transcripts available here: https://tasmps.greens.org.au/parliament/offence-non-fatal-strangulation-law and here https://tasmps.greens.org.au/parliament/attorney-general-justice-non-fatal