Advocates welcome launch of a SA royal commission into domestic violence

Advocates have welcomed the South Australian government's move to launch a royal commission into domestic and family violence.

Transcript

00:00 That pressure has come off the back of six South Australian women allegedly being murdered

00:05 in recent weeks, four of those occurring within just weeks, within just one week.

00:12 We have seen domestic violence campaigners and thousands of South Australians take to

00:16 the streets of Adelaide calling for a Royal Commission.

00:20 Yesterday the government held a roundtable discussion.

00:24 There were at least a dozen domestic violence protection, prevention groups.

00:30 Rosie Bathey was one of those, 2015 Australian of the Year.

00:34 She said that an inquiry would transform the system and save lives.

00:40 She said doing nothing would be failing too many people.

00:44 Premier Penny Malinowski said the government was satisfied that there was a need for a

00:54 Royal Commission.

00:55 He wants to see that Royal Commission be complete within 12 months of its starting.

01:00 Advocates have said that it's actually been quite difficult to get the government to commit

01:05 to an inquiry, but they have said that they are pleased with the government's decision.

01:10 Victim survivors and our frontline workers have been telling us that our system in South

01:16 Australia is not fit for purpose.

01:19 To be honest, we've had other inquiries.

01:23 There was the coronial inquiry into the murder of Zahra Abrahamsadeh at the hands of her

01:29 estranged husband.

01:30 It will be 10 years ago next year.

01:33 There was also a South Australian parliamentary inquiry in 2016.

01:39 They haven't brought about the change that we need to see.

01:42 Charles, what happens next?

01:46 The South Australian opposition, they're in favour of this Royal Commission.

01:50 It is expected to cost around $3 million.

01:55 Details around the terms of reference and who will be in charge of this Royal Commission

02:01 have not yet been detailed, but we should expect to hear those details by mid-February.

02:06 [BLANK_AUDIO]