Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence Commission

September 2026

SiS Tasmania, the specialist Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service, welcomes the third report tabled in Australian Parliament this week by the Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence Commission.

Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service Jake Smith said among a number of items, Commissioner Cronin highlighted family law and justice systems continue to deliver unacceptable levels of harm to those experiencing and impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence.

“The Commissioner stated while several jurisdictions have substantially increased investment, recent budget decisions in some states including Tasmania, saw a reduction in identified domestic, family and sexual violence funding in the 2026-27 budget,” Mr Smith said.

“The report specifically called out reductions in the 2026-27 budget for several legal assistance service providers and also highlighted the need to ensure those experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence have timely access to specialist legal assistance services and that those services have sustainable funding.”

Mr Smith said the legal assistance sector is one key service within the spectrum of services that provides valuable support to those experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence.

“Demand for services that support those impacted continues to rise, right across the state and the sector, including those who seek specialist services like ours.”

Mr Smith said the report also highlighted the need for earlier intervention resourcing.

“If service organisations like ours are enabled to deliver earlier intervention and prevention supports to those at risk of family violence, we’ll better have an opportunity to prevent family violence from happening in the first place.

“You can’t simply propose changes to the Family Violence Act, like the State Government recently announced, and consider this a job well done.

“You also need to consider the impacts of this on victim-survivors seeking support services over there and ensure they are adequately resourced to support the changes.

“Reducing the budget and subsequently funding for service providers won't get the job done.”

Jake Smith, CEO Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service; SiS Tasmania is the service arm of TALS

Media contact: A.Mark Thomas, M&M Communications, 0422 006 732