Focus on DFSV and Suicide Links
The Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee is set to conduct public hearings in Hobart and Sydney to explore the connections between domestic, family, and sexual violence (DFSV) and suicide. These sessions are scheduled for 13th and 14th April, respectively, following an earlier session held in Melbourne on 8th April.
On 13th April, the Hobart hearing will take place at Committee Room 1, Parliament of Tasmania, from 9.00 am to 2.30 pm. Participants include representatives from the Tasmanian Government, Coronial Division of the Magistrates Court of Tasmania, Engender Equality, Laurel House, Tasmanian Family and Sexual Violence Alliance, and Ms Tanya Brooks-Cooper.
In Sydney, the session is scheduled for 14th April from 9.00 am to 4.45 pm at the Corinthian Room, Sydney Masonic Centre. Key participants will be Suicide Prevention Australia, Lifeline Australia, Full Stop Australia, Women’s Community Shelters, Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre, and Settlement Services International. Additional insights will be provided by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety and the UNSW Tax and Business Advisory Clinic.
According to Ms Louise Miller-Frost MP, Committee Chair, the hearings will help the Committee gather essential insights from frontline services, researchers, and government agencies involved with those affected by DFSV. She stated, “These interstate hearings will provide the Committee with valuable insights from frontline services, researchers, and government agencies working directly with people affected by domestic, family, and sexual violence.”
Hearing Details and Participants
The hearings are designed to collect evidence from experts and organisations active in prevention, early intervention, and support services. Testimonies will also come from the research, legal assistance, and government sectors. The evidence gathered aims to identify gaps in data, service coordination, and policy responses, highlighting opportunities for reform.
Broadcasts of the hearings will be available live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal, ensuring public access and transparency. More information, including terms of reference and submissions, can be accessed on the inquiry webpage. Programs for each public hearing are also available online.
The public is encouraged to engage by watching the broadcasts. For media inquiries, contact Ms Louise Miller-Frost MP’s media advisor, Ella Grummet, at 0474 702 934. For background information, reach out to the Committee Secretariat at 02 6277 2358.
The Committee’s final report will be informed by the perspectives shared during these hearings, enabling the identification of service gaps and potential policy reforms.
Last updated: 13 April 2026, 1:34 pm
