Promise check: Establish a Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Commissioner

At the 2022 election, Labor promised to establish a Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Commissioner. Here's how that promise is tracking.

(Image by ABC News)

As part of a suite of measures aimed at improving women's safety, Labor promised to establish a new family, domestic and sexual violence commissioner to "act as a strong voice for victim-survivors".

In a media statement announcing the plan in November 2021, then-opposition leader Anthony Albanese, along with then-shadow minister for families and social services Linda Burney and then-shadow assistant minister for communities and the prevention of family violence Jenny McAllister, said the new commissioner would:

Act as an advocate for victim-survivors;
Work with states and [territories] to ensure we have the data we need to invest resources where they will make the most difference;
Help co-ordinate key national frameworks so safety and access to services doesn't depend on where you live, and;
Provide accountability and transparency by measuring progress against the National Plan and delivering a yearly report.

Labor's announcement was made on the same day the then Coalition government announced its own plans to fund a domestic, family and sexual violence commission to be headed by a chief executive.

(According to media reports, the Coalition's plan was announced "mere moments before an embargo was due to lift on Labor's pledge" to appoint a commissioner.)

Prior to the May election, the Coalition announced the appointment of Catherine Fitzpatrick as Australia's first national domestic, family and sexual violence commissioner, with her five-year appointment due to begin on July 1, 2022.

Assessing the promise

This promise will be deemed to be delivered upon the commencement of a person in the role of commissioner for family, domestic and sexual violence.

Here's how the promise is tracking:

19 May 2023

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Promise check: Establish a Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Commissioner