Legislative Assembly Committee Holds Public Hearing on Violence Legislation Amendment Today

Public Hearing to Address Sexual and Personal Violence Bill

The Australian Capital Territory’s Standing Committee on Legal Affairs is scheduled to convene today, Friday, 20 March 2026, for a significant public hearing. The session will focus on the Inquiry into the Family, Personal and Sexual Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. This hearing represents a critical step in the territory's legislative process as lawmakers seek to refine protections for vulnerable citizens and modernize the legal framework surrounding domestic and personal safety.

The hearing is set to take place in the Prince Edward Island Room at the Legislative Assembly building in Canberra. According to the official committee schedule, proceedings will begin at 1:45 pm and are expected to conclude by 4:30 pm. During this time, the committee will hear from a range of witnesses, which typically include legal experts, advocacy groups, and community stakeholders who have provided submissions regarding the proposed amendments.

Focus of the Amendment Bill

The Family, Personal and Sexual Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 aims to strengthen the ACT's response to various forms of violence. Key agenda items for today’s session are expected to include:

• Reviewing the legal definitions of consent and personal boundaries within the current statutes.
• Assessing the proposed expansion of protection orders to better cover digital and technological abuse.
• Examining the resources available to support victims throughout the judicial process.
• Discussing the integration of trauma-informed practices within the ACT court system.

Broader Government Activity and Context

Today’s committee activity follows a busy week for the ACT Government and the federal leadership in the capital. While the Legislative Assembly concluded its third sitting week of the year yesterday, Thursday, 19 March, the focus has shifted to committee oversight and administrative implementation. Yesterday, Chief Minister Andrew Barr participated in a high-level National Cabinet meeting convened by the Prime Minister in Canberra to address national fuel security and supply chain resilience.

As a result of that meeting, a new Fuel Supply Taskforce is being established within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet right here in Canberra. Local government officials are expected to coordinate closely with this taskforce over the coming weeks to ensure that the ACT’s domestic fuel distribution remains stable amidst ongoing international pressures.

Residents interested in today’s Legal Affairs hearing can access live streams of the proceedings through the Legislative Assembly’s digital portal. The findings from today’s testimony will be used by the committee to draft a final report, which will eventually be tabled in the Assembly for further debate and a final vote.