The Hon. LYNDA VOLTZ: My question is addressed to the Minister for Police. Can the Minister update the House on the new procedures developed by the New South Wales Police Force to protect victims of domestic violence?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: I thank the member for her continued interest and advocacy for women. Domestic violence is a shameful crime that erodes the safety, security and happiness of too many families in New South Wales. Responding to domestic violence incidents accounts for 30 per cent to 35 per cent of all police work. It is front-line police who manage the immediate effects of domestic violence when they attend the homes of families torn apart by this disgraceful crime. It is police who are responsible for ensuring that the perpetrators of domestic violence are arrested and charged. It is police who support victims by attending court and applying for apprehended violence orders on their behalf and by enforcing those orders to ensure the ongoing protection of victims.

I was pleased earlier today to announce the implementation of new standard operating procedures for police responding to domestic violence—procedures that will provide better protection for victims of domestic violence. Police will now have clear instructions to arrest and charge offenders of domestic violence, thus removing the onus on victims to press charges. In future, instead of the victim having to press charges the police will automatically do so if there is sufficient evidence. The procedures provide clear guidelines for the investigation and management of family and domestic violence for front-line police, and include better protection for children and improved management of Aboriginal family violence issues.

The constant carping by members opposite on such an important issue is absolutely disgusting. I would have thought at least the women in this House would do the right thing and keep their mouths shut. Those poor people out there who are victims of these crimes deserve better support. These new procedures will help front-line officers investigate this crime with confidence and consistency. A copy of the procedures will be carried in every police car responding to domestic violence, and every police officer will have a checklist in his or her notebook. The new procedures incorporate recommendations from the 2006 Ombudsman's report that called for a more integrated response to managing domestic violence by police and other agencies. As part of this new package all victims will receive an information card with vital information about support services available around the clock.

I take this moment to send a message to the anonymous person who wrote today to the Sydney Morning Herald expressing her harrowing experience as a domestic violence victim: "We value your honesty and applaud you for your courage in speaking out. I can only hope that you take comfort in knowing that in these circumstances where domestic violence is not prevented, victims will now receive real-time access to counselling and support services through the victims' information card they will receive when police attend the scene." Offenders no longer will be able to hide behind their victims; police will be the primary party in prosecution proceedings.

Howard Brown from the Victims of Crime Assistance League—VOCAL—today said that the Government is to be applauded for responding to the calls of victims. He said, "Early access to support services provides victims with security and gives them real time access to the help they need when they need it most." Victims' groups have asked police for a clear, publicly available policy statement on domestic violence to complement their internal operating procedures. Today I also announced the New South Wales Police Force Domestic Violence Policy, which is the answer to those calls and is available from today on the police website at www.police.nsw.gov.au.