The Allan Labor Government has rejected laws to criminalise coercive control in a move The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, says falls well short of community expectations and shows a frightening lack of awareness.
The Crimes Amendment (Coercive Control) Bill 2025, introduced by the Liberals and Nationals, would have created a standalone offence with a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment for patterns of emotional, psychological, financial or physical abuse, threats, isolation, or surveillance.
Ms Benham said the legislation would finally give victims protection from harmful behaviours beyond physical violence.
“Coercive control is not just physical assault. It is manipulation, intimidation, humiliation, isolation, and threats. It is how violence begins,” she said.
“Victoria is facing a family violence crisis. Serious assaults have surged more than 23 per cent, breaches of family violence orders are up nearly 17 per cent, and threatening behaviour has risen 9 per cent in the past year alone. This is unacceptable, and urgent reform cannot wait.”
Ms Benham said the Government’s response to the Bill in parliament was deeply disappointing.
“We asked for debate. We asked for the opportunity to put this issue above politics. Instead, the Government dismissed it and labelled it a political stunt. That is completely unacceptable,” she said.
“Some matters are bigger than politics and protecting victim-survivors is one of them. Blocking this Bill ignores that reality,” she said.
“Giving coercive control its own legislation sends a clear message that this behaviour is criminal and unacceptable. Victims need the law to recognise it, and they need the tools to protect themselves before it escalates,” Ms Benham said.
She said the Liberals and Nationals will continue to fight for the criminalisation of coercive control.
“This matter should be beyond politics. If the Government will not act, we will. Victim-survivors deserve better, and our community expects better.”
My contribution to parliament on this Bill can be viewed at Private Members Bill – Coercive Control – 3rd December 2025.
