Every four minutes: Parliament passes Domestic Violence Bill

Police are called out to a family violence incident every four minutes Green MP Jan Logie told the House at the passing of the Domestic Violence Victims’ Protection Bill.

The Bill, in Jan Logie's name, enables victims of domestic violence to be able to request up to 10 days of extra leave from employers in order the help them cope with its effects, or even plan an escape.

“It’s pretty hard to flee the violence when your abuser knows when and where you work and can easily find you,” said Ms Logie.

“We’ve heard from victims, court staff, and survivors themselves that existing leave provisions are sometimes not enough to be able to deal with the courts, find a new house, go to counselling or support their children dealing with trauma,” she said.

Her bill was introduced in December 2016 but she said it’s been a long seven years of work to get the Bill past its third reading (and final hurdle in the House) before it’s sent off to become law.

At a bill’s third reading its sponsor usually speaks first, often using their time to outline the journey to get the bill to this stage or the reasons the bill is needed.

“Around 230,000 adults and many more children currently live in fear of their partner or parent. We have a problem and we will not solve this problem by continuing to focus all of our resources and efforts on what happens after the police have been called” said Ms Logie.

Jan Logie is also a Parliamentary Under-secretary for Justice with a specific focus on domestic and sexual violence issues.

But this is a member’s bill which was introduced before Ms Logie became an Under-secretary. The bill is not government legislation and is also not assured of support from any party.

A Government can pick up a member's bills and make it their own and National MP Judith Collins questioned why the Government hadn’t done this.

“I’m surprised that this hasn’t been advanced as a government bill paid for by the taxpayer through the budget process when it comes to this entitlement to leave,” she said.

Ms Collins also said many people are employed by small businesses which wouldn’t be able to meet the costs of additional leave.

“If it is important, which we all agree, [it] should be met out of the general funds of the consolidated fund of the Government.”

Fellow National MP Alfred Ngaro pointed out his white ribbon but said "it's just a step too far for us."   

 

 

He said that the National government had done a lot to combat domestic violence during its three terms.

 

"[We] are not saying that we don't agree with the intent, of dealing with the issues of family violence but we cannot say that we will put another burden upon those in small to medium enterprises."

 

Louisa Wall said National's argument about small business costs is naive.

 

"Business are already paying the price, but let's help them pay the price in a positive way by having a workplace that helps them disclose," she said.

 

 

"What happens when you disclose? you get help. You get help for yourself. You get help for your family...You get help for your children. Too many of our babies are growing up thinking violence is normal. And we have to do everything we can to change that culture."

The National Party and ACT Party opposed the Bill but the Bill passed with support from the Labour Party, New Zealand First, and the Green Party.

It will now be sent to the Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy for her signature (or royal assent) which turns it into law.

The full first reading debate can be found here.

The full second reading debate can be found here.

The committee stage can be found here.

The original text of the Bill can be found here.

The proposed amendments to the bill, including from its sponsor can be found here.

The third reading debate can be found here.