Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party has acknowledged the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s final report of its review of Victoria’s response to stalking tabled in Parliament today.
The review was initiated when Member for Northern Victoria Tania Maxwell MP presented a petition to Parliament on behalf of the family and friends of Celeste Manno, who lost her life in her Mernda home in 2020.
The VLRC has made 45 recommendations to the government.
These include specific sentencing guidance for breaches of personal safety intervention orders and making sure legal representation is available to applicants or protected witnesses.
Ms Maxwell said she hoped the government would provide a formal response to the review and its individual recommendations given the report’s significance, although it’s not obliged to do so.
“Our Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party made 43 recommendations in its own submission and we’re pleased to see that some of them, particularly related to victim support, were picked up by the VLRC,” she said.
“But I’m disappointed that electronic monitoring was not recommended as a potential response for offenders identified as high-risk recidivist stalkers, with the VLRC suggesting it was too controversial.
“It’s a proven fact – electronic monitoring improves the safety of women and children subjected to family violence, with a successful trial of these devices in Tasmania since 2015.
“An evaluation in 2021 recognised that electronic monitoring, used in conjunction with intensive support, can help change perpetrator behaviour. We’ll continue to press for a pilot of monitoring in Victoria.
“At the same time, I recognise the review has made key recommendations to improve the justice system’s management of personal safety intervention orders, including early intervention to address problematic behaviour before it escalates.
“But this is a bittersweet moment for Celeste Manno’s family and a tough day for Celeste’s mother Aggie, and brother Alessandro, who attended Parliament for the report’s tabling.
“I commend Aggie for her brave advocacy in pushing for this review and for stalking reform.”
