Changes introduced last year to NSW law that the government says are aimed at boosting safety for domestic and family violence victim-survivors have come into effect.
The government says tough new penalties have applied as of this month to breaches of Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders and a magistrate or judge is to make all NSW court bail decisions.
Previously, registrars have had the legal power to make bail decisions.
Tougher ADVO breach penalties
From today, people who breach an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order are to face up to five years’ jail.
Breaching an ADVO with the intention of causing harm or fear now attracts a maximum penalty of three years’ jail.
Those who breach an ADVO three times within a month face a maximum penalty of five years’ jail.
Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin says a multi-pronged approach is needed to prevent domestic and family violence, and stronger penalties for ADVO breaches are an important piece of the puzzle.
More magistrates and courtroom AV upgrades
The changes come alongside $39 million in funding for increased courts capacity.
Thirty-five audio-visual courtroom upgrades are planned to improve remote hearing facilities across a range of matters including bail hearings.
The funds are part of a package worth more than $245 million dollars announced last year in the NSW Budget to address domestic and family violence through primary prevention, earlier intervention and crisis responses.
Four extra magistrates have reportedly been recruited to manage Local Court bail applications with recruitment underway for another three.
A Centralised Bail Court at Parramatta Children’s Court where first appearance bail applications are managed is to have the number of acting magistrates doubled from three to six.
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