JEREMY Hanson is calling for the ACT Labor government to conduct a community roundtable on domestic violence ahead of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in July. He says the ACT should head to the COAG meeting with a nation leading agenda to address domestic violence.

“After engaging with passionate advocates on the issue of eradicating domestic violence, I’m confident a community roundtable to develop an agenda for COAG is a positive way forward. We need to discuss the possible prevention and intervention measures with relevant stakeholders,” Jeremy said.

“Questions like whether domestic violence orders are effective need to be discussed as well as housing and shelter options for victims and potential victims. Police training and resources, education and whether other organisations are adequately resourced should also be canvassed.

“I’d be more than willing to participate in the roundtable and would hope for it to be bi-partisan because domestic violence is an issue too big for political game playing.

“However, it’s something the government needs to instigate because the government will be at COAG to contribute a response to domestic violence.

“July’s COAG shouldn’t be a meeting where the ACT just sits and listens. The government has an opportunity to take a nation leading response to the rest of the country. I look forward to the ACT government heeding my call,” Mr Hanson concluded.