The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has described the introduction of laws recognising coercive control as a significant step forward for survivors of family violence.
Speaking in Parliament on the Justice Legislation Amendment (Family Violence, Coercive Control, Good Character, Risk Assessment and Other Matters) Bill 2026, Ms Benham said she was proud and relieved to finally see coercive control recognised in law.
“I have been advocating for coercive control laws for so long, and to come so close only to be let down when Labor rejected the Nationals and Liberals’ Bill last year was devastating.
“To now see coercive control recognised in law is a monumental step forward. This is an incredibly important piece of legislation.”
Ms Benham said the reforms would give people experiencing coercive control greater recognition of what they are experiencing, while providing a pathway to consequences for perpetrators.
“These laws matter to people sitting at home who don’t yet realise that the gaslighting, manipulation, financial control and abuse they are experiencing is coercive control.
“Knowing there is now a law that recognises this behaviour, and that there can be consequences, is incredibly important.”
Ms Benham said the reforms were an important step, but more also needed to be done to ensure survivors were protected outside the courtroom.
“In regional communities, we are witnessing convicted perpetrators being welcomed back into their local sporting clubs as though nothing has happened.
“That is incredibly triggering and traumatic, not just for the survivor, but for every other woman who has not yet felt safe enough to speak out.
“The AFL has the ability to take that decision out of the hands of individual clubs and judges. If a footballer is convicted of a domestic violence offence, they should not simply be able to return to an AFL-affiliated club.
“The AFL needs to take this seriously. If they are going to stand for something, they should stand for this.
“These laws are a turning point, but they are only the beginning. We need to keep working to make sure survivors are protected and perpetrators face consequences.”
