Mandatory Prison Sentences for Specific Domestic Violence Order Breaches
Domestic and Family Violence and Victims Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Topics
court penalties crime victims domestic violence electronic monitoring mandatory sentencing victim rights
Introduced by: The Hon Marie-Clare Boothby MLA (CLP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
“Madam Speaker, I present a Bill titled Domestic and Family Violence and Victims Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, Serial 22, and table the explanatory statement. I move that the Bill be now read a first time.”
Chanston Paech ALP
“Madam Speaker, the opposition is supportive of this measure to refer the Bill to the Legislative Scrutiny Committee for review.”
Bill Yan CLP
“Madam Speaker, I seek leave to deliver a ministerial report on the 2025 federal budget. Leave granted. Mr YAN: I will speak about the disgraceful federal budget handed down in Canberra last night, which has profoundly let down the Northern Territory and each of its 255,000 residents.”
Selena Uibo ALP
“Madam Speaker, it is laughable that the CLP Treasurer Bill Yan is standing in this Chamber and attacking a budget that delivers more tax cuts, power bill cuts and affordable healthcare to every Territorian who will benefit.”
Gerard Maley CLP
“Madam Speaker, I support the Treasurer’s ministerial report on the federal budget. The Leader of the Opposition spoke about the $5 tax cut starting in 2026. We are only in the third month of this year, so there is a lot of time between now and then in the cost-of-living crisis that the previous Labor government brought upon Territorians. The federal budget was a flop.”
Steven Edgington CLP
“Madam Speaker. I support the ministerial report by the Treasurer. The federal budget handed down overnight is clearly a slap in the face for Territorians. There are many issues across the Northern Territory. I will quickly touch on roads before I talk about issues with the lack of investment in health in the Northern Territory from the federal government.”
Joshua Burgoyne CLP
“Madam Speaker, when a lot of people woke up this morning to the federal budget, they will have seen $17bn in tax cuts. What that really means to most Territorians is 70c per day returned to their pocket, whilst the Northern Territory has $11bn of debt, much of which was accrued under the previous Labor government. The Leader of the Opposition stated that $7.”
Andrew Mackay CLP
“Madam Speaker, I begin by correcting mistruths from the beginning of the Member for Gwoja’s spiel. I want it noted on the record that last night an email was sent to the Opposition Leader, the opposition Whip and Independents on the crossbench stating that today we will have a 2025 federal budget 1445 --- Debates and Questions Wednesday 26 March 2025 Meeting No 17 ministerial report by leave.”
Laurie Zio CLP
“Madam Speaker, following last night’s budget announcement, I stand with a heavy heart and deep disappointment. I am not surprised by the Albanese Labor government failing the people of the Northern Territory once again. The federal budget delivered yesterday has again failed the people of the Northern Territory.”
Matthew Kerle CLP
“Madam Speaker, I wish to speak on last night’s disappointing budget which left Territorians out in the cold. I will engage in a brief history lesson. The former Member for Solomon, Natasha Griggs, was in opposition for two terms and, sadly, in government for one term. That is something we Palmerstonians missed out in the loss of Natasha Griggs from the federal parliament.”
Oly Carlson CLP
“Madam Speaker, I support the Domestic and Family Violence and Victims Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, Serial 22, brought to the House by the Attorney-General, as the amendments in this Bill ensure that in certain circumstances the court must sentence an offender guilty of a breach of a DVO to a term of actual imprisonment.”
Clinton Howe CLP
“Madam Speaker, this is an important issue, especially in the electorate of Drysdale in which, unfortunately, a large number of domestic, family and sexual violence matters occur. This is why I am committed to stepping forward. I believe male leadership is needed in this space, and I intend to continue in that pursuit.”
“Madam Speaker, I support an approach to family violence that includes good consultation with our communities, elders and leaders so that we can work together to address the tragedy 1920 --- Debates and Questions Tuesday 20 May 2025 Meeting No 23 of violence within families. I have said these things before in the Chamber, and I will say them again.”
Jo Hersey CLP
“Madam Speaker, much has been said about domestic, family and sexual violence. The minister has spoken many times about the challenges and the hard work she has been doing, working with key stakeholders in the sector.”
Robyn Cahill CLP
“Madam Speaker, I support these amendments to strengthen our laws to protect victims of domestic, family and sexual violence. First I will address the Member for Nightcliff’s comments that she had never seen any member of the CLP at a domestic violence rally or event prior to the election. I did not know the Member for Nightcliff before parliament.”