An Illawarra MP has vowed to continue fighting to make coercive and controlling behaviours in domestic relationships illegal in NSW, after her bill was voted down on Thursday.
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The proposed legislation, if passed, would have made it illegal for a person to control, isolate, frighten, and humiliate another person with whom they were in a domestic relationship.
Shellharbour MP Anna Watson named the bill Preethi's Law in tribute to Dr Preethi Reddy, a 32-year-old dentist who once worked in Dapto and was murdered by her former partner in March 2019.
In Parliament on Thursday, Ms Watson became emotional as she relayed the circumstances of the death of Ms Reddy.
The Labor MP said the Coalition government had been scaremongering and spreading misinformation about the proposed legislation, actions she described as "a kick in the guts" to the women and children the bill was aimed at protecting.
For example it would not criminalise, she said, the acceptable parental discipline of children.
Attorney-General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Mark Speakman, told Parliament he was "keenly interested in legislative reform to address coercive and controlling behaviour, but we have to make sure that any reform is the right one".
He said the government could not accept Ms Watson's bill as it was drafted.
"The bill, while well-intentioned, at this stage does not reflect the level of analysis and consultation required," he said.
He said the work of a parliamentary joint select committee investigating the issue was important to do before reforming the law.
Mr Speakman expressed concern that the bill would lead to "excessive criminalisation" given the range of relationships it covered, the severity of punishments, and that it related to conduct rather than "course of conduct".
Ms Watson said she had offered Mr Speakman the opportunity for amendments on numerous occasions.
But her bill was knocked back in a vote of 46 to 38.
"I feel let down on behalf of all those brave women who had come forward, speaking to me about the abuse they had endured," Ms Watson told the Illawarra Mercury.
But she said victim-survivors and those working in the sector could be assured she would continue to push for the criminalisation of coercive control.
"I'm not going to stop until coercive control is criminalised," Ms Watson said.
She said she would wait until the joint select committee released its findings - due by the end of June - before deciding on her next move.
The latest crime data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research shows rates of domestic-related assault in the Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama local government areas have remained steady over the past five years.
But in Wollongong, breaches of apprehended violence orders have risen by 4.7 per cent in the five years to December 2020.
Coercive and controlling behaviours would not necessarily be captured under these offences.
If you or someone you know has experienced domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for support. If someone is in immediate danger, call triple-0.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
