COAG COMMUNIQUÉ The Council of Australian Governments held its 39th meeting today in Canberra. Leaders welcomed Premiers Andrews and Palaszczuk, Chief Minister Barr and Mayor Pickard to their first COAG meeting. Today the strength of Australia’s federal system of government was on show, with all governments agreeing to work together to tackle significant issues that are important to us as a society and nation. There need not be another election for 16 months, so leaders agreed that it would be important to maximise the opportunity for long-term reform relatively free of partisan political pressures. The Federation and Tax Reform White Papers are an opportunity to rethink how the federation works and how services are funded and delivered. In particular, leaders agreed to a special COAG retreat in July where these issues could be considered with a view to optimising outcomes for patients and students in particular. COAG agreed to a national, cooperative effort to reduce family violence and fight ice usage two issues of major public concern which are impacting on communities across Australia. – Similarly, COAG agreed on new levels of collaboration to increase our efforts to counter violent extremism and terrorism in Australia. Reducing Violence against Women As of 13 April, the media had reported 31 women who have died in Australia in 2015 as a result of violence. The most recent verified annual data show that on average one woman a week is killed by her current or former partner. COAG agreed to take urgent collective action in 2015 to address this unacceptable trial of violence against women. By the end of 2015: a national domestic violence order (DVO) scheme will be agreed, where DVOs will be automatically recognised and enforceable in any state or territory of Australia; progress will be reported on a national information system that will enable courts and police in different states and territories to share information on active DVOs – New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania will the system; COAG will consider national standards to ensure perpetrators of violence against women are held to account at the same standard across Australia, for implementation in 2016; and COAG will consider strategies to tackle the increased use of technology to facilitate against women, and to ensure women have adequate legal protections against this form of abuse. COAG agreed to jointly contribute $30 million for a national campaign to reduce violence against women and their children and potentially for associated increased services to
COAG COMMUNIQUÉ The Council of Australian Governments held its 39th meeting today in Canberra. Leaders welcomed Premiers Andrews and Palaszczuk, Chief Minister Barr and Mayor Pickard to their first COAG meeting. Today the strength of Australia’s federal system of government was on show, with all governments agreeing to work together to tackle significant issues that are important to us as a society and nation. There need not be another election for 16 months, so leaders agreed that it would be important to maximise the opportunity for long-term reform relatively free of partisan political pressures. The Federation and Tax Reform White Papers are an opportunity to rethink how the federation works and how services are funded and delivered. In particular, leaders agreed to a special COAG retreat in July where these issues could be considered with a view to optimising outcomes for patients and students in particular. COAG agreed to a national, cooperative effort to reduce family violence and fight ice usage – two issues of major public concern which are impacting on communities across Australia. Similarly, COAG agreed on new levels of collaboration to increase our efforts to counter violent extremism and terrorism in Australia. Reducing Violence against Women As of 13 April, the media had reported 31 women who have died in Australia in 2015 as a result of violence. The most recent verified annual data show that on average one woman a week is killed by her current or former partner. COAG agreed to take urgent collective action in 2015 to address this unacceptable of violence against women. By the end of 2015: a national domestic violence order (DVO) scheme will be agreed, where DVOs will be automatically recognised and enforceable in any state or territory of Australia; progress will be reported on a national information system that will enable courts and police in different states and territories to share information on active DVOs – New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania will trial the system; COAG will consider national standards to ensure perpetrators of violence against women are held to account at the same standard across Australia, for implementation in 2016; and COAG will consider strategies to tackle the increased use of technology to facilitate against women, and to ensure women have adequate legal protections against this form of abuse. COAG agreed to jointly contribute $30 million for a national campaign to reduce violence against women and their children and potentially for associated increased services to