Keeping women safe in our community is a huge problem which requires a co-ordinated solution and huge effort from Federal and State Governments and the community. 

We need to see significant changes in: 

• the supports we provide

• how we manage and measure risk identification

• justice system

• our societal culture

Tragic circumstances unfolded in our electorate in May this year.  Two women in Floreat, Jennifer and Gretl Petelczyc in Floreat, were shot and killed by their friend’s ex-husband, Mark Bombara.  

The shooter was trying to find his ex-wife who had escaped the family home weeks earlier, fearing for her life. 

This event has torn apart two families and rocked our community.  I have received so many messages from constituents who have been devastated by this tragedy. 

Following the Floreat attack the Attorney General referred an enquiry to the Social Policy and Legislative Affairs Committee, of which I am a member, to consider how we can provide better access, for victim-survivors, to Family Violence Orders (FVO) and the effective enforcement of those orders.  

Our inquiry is currently considering: 

• the current barriers for litigants in the family law system to obtain and enforce FVOs,  

• how FVOs could be more accessible for victims of violence going through the family law system, and 

• the legal and non-legal support services required to promote early identification of and response to family violence. 

In Western Australia I am working for further reforms for gender based violence issues with the police, justice and communities portfolios.