Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2024

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

The Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2024 would strengthen the law on domestic violence by making an offence under section 33 of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 capable of being dealt with as a more serious offence in court. It would also update the bail rules so that this domestic violence offence is specifically listed when courts consider bail. The bill says that if a child is present when the offence is committed, that must be treated as an aggravating factor in sentencing. Overall, it aims to give courts more options to respond to domestic abuse and reflect the seriousness of harm done in the presence of children.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend section 33 of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 for the purpose of providing for an indictable offence under that section, to amend the Schedule to the Bail Act 1997 so as to include a reference to an offence under the said section 33, and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 3 July 2025