Leader of the Canberra Liberals, Leanne Castley MLA, brought a motion calling on the Government to criminalise coercive control in the ACT, mirroring recent reforms in NSW. Coercive control refers to a pattern of abusive behaviour, usually in intimate partner relationships, that is designed to cause fear and to control the victim. It does not always involve physical violence, but is the most common risk factor in the lead up to an intimate partner homicide, with more than 95 per cent of homicides in NSW shown to have been preceded by patterns of coercive control. 

Labor proposed amendments that removed the commitment to criminalise coercive control, and instead focused on greater consultation with the domestic and family violence sector, enhanced support and resourcing for victims and frontline services, and improved training and education for police officers responding to coercive control incidents. 

Thomas supported these changes but sought a clear commitment to legislative reform and was willing to vote against the amendments unless they included that commitment. Having reached this position, Thomas successfully negotiated with the Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence to incorporate a commitment to developing legislation to protect against coercive control in Labor’s amendments, with an obligation to report back on progress toward developing legislation within six months. 

Supporting the criminalisation of coercive control was one of Thomas’ election commitments, after having spoken with a range of women during his campaign who said they wished legislation had been in place to protect them from coercive, controlling, abusive behaviours they had experienced in intimate relationships.

In reaching his position on this motion, Thomas had multiple conversations including with a First Nations lived experience advocate who advised on the NSW reforms, and a former ACT public prosecutor. Both of these women considered criminalising coercive control to be a vital next step for the ACT to improve its responses to family and domestic violence. 

Thomas is looking forward to working with the Government to better support victims of family and domestic violence, and to improve public understanding around the issue of coercive control.  

The motion, in its amended form, was passed unanimously by the Assembly.