XN000022-1986-07-09 — Page 40

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986

R THOMAS POINTED OUT THAT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN LITTLE HESITATION IN LEGISLATING FOR VIOLENCE IF IT TOOK PLACE OUTSIDE THE FAMILY AND QUESTIONED THE FACT THAT VIOLENCE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS SHOULD BE A REASON TO DENY THE VICTIM THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRST AID THROUGH THE COURTS.

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→THE KNOWN FIGURES MAY BE RELATIVELY SMALL, + HE SAID, + BUT I TAKE THE VIEW THAT THIS LEGISLATION WOULD BE JUSTIFIED EVEN IF THERE WAS ONLY ONE CASE WHERE THE VICTIM OF VIOLENCE WISHED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ITS PROVISIONS.+

AT THE PRESENT TIME IF A WOMAN WAS ASSAULTED BY HER HUSBAND AND FELT SHE COULD NO LONGER PUT UP WITH IT, SHE HAD A LIMITED RANGE OF OPTIONS.

+SHE COULD OF COURSE LEAVE HOME, BUT THIS ASSUMES SHE AND HER CHILDREN HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO AND TO SEEK REFUGE. IF SHE CALLS THE POLICE, SHE WILL GENERALLY FIND THAT THEY ARE RELUCTANT TO BECOME INVOLVED IN DOMESTIC PROCEEDINGS.

+SHE COULD HERSELF COMMENCE PROCEEDINGS FOR ASSAULT, BUT WHILE SHE WAITS FOR THE CASE TO COME ON, THE VIOLENCE IN THE HOUSE MAY CONTINUE. AND THE OUTCOME OF THE CASE IS UNCERTAIN.

+SHE MAY COMMENCE DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS AND SEEK THE ASSISTANCE OF THE COURT. BUT SHE MAY STILL LOVE HER HUSBAND AND HOPE TO SAVE THE MARRIAGE, HE SAID.

MR THOMAS SAID THAT IN EARLY 1984, HE INITIATED STEPS TO HAVE THE MATTER REVIEWED AND THE NECESSARY AMENDING LEGISLATION INTRODUCED.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

FEE REVISIONS FOLLOW COST STUDY

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BILLS PROPOSING REVISIONS OF FEES PAYABLE FOR VARIOUS SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE BILLS ARE THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE LEGITIMACY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 AND THE FOREIGN MARRIAGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILLS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID THE OBJECT OF THE PROPOSED REVISIONS WAS TO RECOVER A GREATER PROPORTION OF THE COST OF THE SERVICES.

/MR THOMAS

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