Libs call for DV ankle bracelets as Labor says ‘nothing off the table’

Liberal leader Mark Speakman calls for electronic monitoring bracelets for bailed domestic violence offenders as Women’s Minister Jodie Harrison declares ‘nothing is off the table’.

People who have been charged with serious domestic violence offences and released on bail need to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, according to state opposition leader Mark Speakman.

The Coalition also wants age appropriate respect education in schools to be ramped up and registrars banned from hearing applications in serious domestic violence cases.

To enable magistrates to hear all serious DV cases, Mr Speakman says the audiovisual link rollout begun under the former government needs to be completed at all courthouses.

NSW Liberal Leader Mark Speakman. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Nikki Short

An electronic monitoring bracelet.

Mr Speakman also wants the Minns government to consult on and release the terms of reference of its urgent review of the state’s bail laws to enable the community and key stakeholders to provide input.

Along with supporting a royal commission, the Coa­lition wants the Minns government to lobby the Albanese government to increase investment in the Respect Campaign to drive cultural change, particularly among young people.

The Coalition calls come amid community uproar over the death of 28-year-old childcare worker Molly Ticehurst, who was found in her home in Forbes on Monday.

Her former partner Daniel Billings, 29, was later charged with the domestic violence related murder.

It is not the first time Mr Speakman has flagged electronic monitoring as an option for DV offenders.

Two years ago the then Attorney-General floated the use of the devices following the stabbing death of 21-year-old Mackenzie Anderson, specifically ankle bracelets for people subject to an AVO after being convicted of a DV offence.

NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrisonsaid nothing is off the table. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Mr Speakman said his government had started the domestic violence electronic monitoring program to target offenders and their compliance with Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders.

Since being introduced in 2016 it has been used for offenders serving community sentences, with Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research figures showing it cut the risk of DV offending by 32 per cent.

“With that strong evidence base it’s time to expand the program to those on bail facing DV charges,” Mr Speakman said.

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