Renee Heath has taken the State Government to task after Victoria Police admitted it could not notify women when violent ex-partners were released from prison because it lacked the resources.
“The coroner recommended that Victoria Police notify women when violent partners are released from prison, a simple and life-changing reform, yet VicPol has admitted it cannot deliver this due to lack of resources and that the government has taken no action to implement the recommendation,” Ms Heath told parliament.
She asked the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, “Can you confirm whether the government will act on the coroner’s recommendation, and what steps are you taking to ensure that victims in my electorate are notified when their abusers are released?”
Victoria Police formally rejected the recommendation following the horrific murder of Noeline Dalzell, who was stabbed to death by her ex-partner after he was released from custody without her being notified.
Ms Heath said the government continued to show up at rallies and speak on panels about women’s rights.
“But when it comes to implementing something as basic as notifying a woman that her violent ex-partner is being released from prison, they’ve failed,” she said.
Ms Heath said police were being asked to do more with less and victims were paying the price.
“This isn’t about funding another glossy report,” she said.
“It’s about doing the basics right: protecting women, resourcing police, and getting serious about community safety.”
