AUSTRALIA | Western Australia Ombudsman reports on agencies‘ progress to give effect to his recommendations

On 10 November 2016, the Western Australian Ombudsman, Chris Field, tabled in Parliament a report on giving effect to recommendations arising from the Investigation into issues associated with violence restraining orders and their relationship with family and domestic violence fatalities.

The Ombudsman undertakes an important responsibility to review family and domestic violence fatalities. Arising from this work, the Ombudsman identified the need to undertake a major own motion investigation into issues associated with violence restraining orders and their relationship with family and domestic violence fatalities. On 19 November 2015, the investigation report was tabled in the Western Australian Parliament. The report made 54 recommendations to four government agencies about ways to prevent or reduce family and domestic violence fatalities, each of which was agreed to by the agencies.

“Importantly, I also indicated that my office would actively monitor the implementation of these recommendations and report to Parliament on the results of this monitoring,” said Mr Field. “Accordingly, I am now pleased to provide Parliament with ‘A report on giving effect to the recommendations arising from the Investigation into issues associated with violence restraining orders and their relationship with family and domestic violence fatalities’.”

This follow-up report found that the relevant state government agencies have taken steps, or propose to take steps, to give effect to all of the recommendations. “It is particularly pleasing that, in giving effect to the recommendations, important improvements have been achieved” said Mr Field.

“The work of my office in ensuring that the recommendations of the investigation are given effect does not end with the tabling of this report,” said Mr Field. “My office will continue to monitor whether steps continue to be taken by the relevant agencies, and the next report will be provided in my office’s 2016-17 Annual Report.”

Further information on the report can be found here.

Source: Ombudsman of Western Australia