The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad, has welcomed the introduction of new coercive control legislation in the Victorian Parliament this week, describing it as a major step towards improving safety and protection for victim-survivors of family violence.
The Liberals and Nationals introduced a Private Members Bill to create a new criminal offence of coercive control.
Ms Broad said this would give victims legal protection from harmful behaviours apart from physical violence. Coercive control can include intimidation, isolation, humiliation, manipulation and control.
The move is based on NSW laws and will bring Victoria into line with other states.
“Despite initially resisting the need for additional laws, and refusing to even debate the legislation, the Allan Labor Government has confirmed it will now support our policy and implement legislation to criminalise coercive control in early 2026,” Ms Broad said.
“When almost 100 per cent of all intimate partner murders are preceded by coercive control, it is clear that action must be taken to stop this sinister behaviour,” Ms Broad said.
Ms Broad said several shocking incidents had been reported in Northern Victoria in recent years and family violence was increasing across the region.
According to the latest data from the Crime Statistics Agency, in the 12 months to June 2025 serious assault incidents within family violence rose in Northern Victoria.
CSA figures show several local government areas inside the Northern Victoria region (Benalla, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Greater Shepparton and surrounding areas) had family-incident rates well above the state average and experienced increases.
Ms Broad said the CSA data also revealed people living in regional Victoria were almost twice as likely to experience family violence as those living in metropolitan areas.
The data showed the 2023-24 rate of family incidents per 100,000 people in regional Victoria was 2,157, compared to the metro rate of 1,172 – a massive 84 per cent difference.
In the last five years, the regional rate has jumped by 18.2 per cent over the period, compared to the metropolitan rate rising just 0.3 per cent.
“These statistics are shocking but they are only the tip of the iceberg. Many family violence crimes occur behind closed doors and are not reported,” Ms Broad said.
“A report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics – the 2021-22 personal safety survey – found almost 80 per cent of women who experienced violence from a partner did not report it to police.
“It’s time that Victoria called coercive control what it is – a crime,” Ms Broad said.
The introduction of the Bill also highlighted the 2025 ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence’, which runs through until December 10. This year’s theme is “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls”.
Ms Broad said coercive control was a deeply harmful form of abuse that undermines a person’s independence, confidence and wellbeing.
“By introducing this legislation, the Liberals and Nationals are acknowledging the seriousness of these behaviours and strengthening protections for those at risk.”
“I welcome this step forward and thank all those who have fought to ensure these experiences are heard and understood,” she said.
“The Nationals look forward to working with the Government and Parliament to ensure this important reform becomes law as a matter of priority.”
