Northern Territory Enforces Tough New Laws on Domestic Violence Breaches

In a decisive move to combat domestic violence, the Northern Territory government has introduced legislation that mandates minimum sentences for perpetrators who breach domestic violence orders and engage in threatening or harmful behavior. The legislation, passed on Tuesday by the Country Liberal Party’s majority in the territory’s sole parliamentary chamber, marks a significant shift in the region’s approach to domestic violence cases.

The new laws reinstate a mandatory minimum sentence provision that was repealed by the previous Labor government in 2022. Despite widespread disapproval from the domestic, family, and sexual violence sector, the CLP pushed through the reforms, emphasizing a tougher stance on offenders.

A government spokesperson clarified that under the new rules, mandatory sentencing will be triggered when an offender breaches a domestic violence order for the first time and either threatens or causes harm. However, they noted that the law may not apply in cases where a breach occurs without threats or harm.

Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby added that the legislation also enforces mandatory sentences for repeat breaches of domestic violence orders, even if no harm was threatened or caused during the incident.

Critics argue that the legislation could lead to harsher penalties and longer sentences for those who violate protective orders, aiming to deter future misconduct and protect victims. Nonetheless, the move underscores the government’s commitment to addressing domestic violence with increased severity, despite ongoing debates about the best approaches to prevention and justice.