Victorian Labor promises new offences to close domestic and family violence ‘loopholes’

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Published: 2026-09-19T19:16:52.266Z • Permanent link

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has vowed to legislate new forms of manslaughter and increase the maximum penalty for rape to life imprisonment as part of the state's efforts to close domestic and family violence "loopholes". The announcement comes ahead of the re-election of the Victorian Labor government, which has promised to take a tougher stance on the issue. Carroll, a long-time advocate for domestic violence reform, has stated that the current laws are not doing enough to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable. The proposed legislation would introduce a new form of manslaughter specifically for cases of domestic violence, which would carry a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The new laws are expected to be part of a broader package of reforms aimed at tackling the scourge of domestic violence in Victoria. The package includes increased funding for domestic violence services, improved support for victims, and enhanced penalties for perpetrators. Carroll has stated that the new laws would be a significant step forward in the fight against domestic violence, but acknowledged that more needs to be done. "We need to make sure that those who commit these heinous crimes are held accountable, and that our victims receive the support and protection they deserve," Carroll said.

Carroll's announcement has been welcomed by domestic violence advocates, who say that the current laws are too lenient on perpetrators. "The current laws are a joke," said Sarah Jenkins, a domestic violence advocate with the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Council. "They do not reflect the severity of the crime, and they do not provide enough protection for victims. We need to see real change, and we need to see it now.

The proposed laws have significant implications for the AI & Tech Ecosystems domain, where domestic violence is a growing concern. According to a recent report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, one in four women in Australia has experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner. The report also found that technology, including social media and online platforms, is increasingly being used to facilitate and perpetuate domestic violence. As such, the proposed laws could have a significant impact on the tech industry, which is under pressure to do more to prevent and respond to domestic violence.

The proposed laws are also likely to have a significant impact on companies that provide technology services, including social media and online platforms. Companies such as Facebook and Twitter have already faced criticism for their handling of domestic violence cases, and the proposed laws could put pressure on them to do more to prevent and respond to domestic violence. "We need to see real action from tech companies to prevent and respond to domestic violence," said Jenkins. "This includes taking down hate speech and harassment, and providing support to victims.

The proposed laws are part of a broader pattern of reforms aimed at tackling domestic violence in Victoria. In recent years, the state government has introduced a range of initiatives aimed at preventing and responding to domestic violence, including increased funding for domestic violence services and improved support for victims. However, advocates say that more needs to be done. "We need to see a coordinated approach to tackling domestic violence, which involves government, industry, and community," said Jenkins.