The Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee will hold public hearings in Hobart and Sydney as part of its inquiry into the link between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and suicide. The interstate hearings follow the Committee’s public hearing in Melbourne on 8 April.

Media release issue date: Monday, 13 April 2026

The Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee will hold public hearings in Hobart and Sydney as part of its inquiry into the link between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and suicide. The interstate hearings follow the Committee’s public hearing in Melbourne on 8 April. Committee Chair, Ms Louise Miller-Frost MP, said ‘these interstate hearings will provide the Committee with valuable insights from frontline services, researchers and government agencies working directly with people affected by domestic, family and sexual violence. ‘Travelling to Hobart and Sydney will allow the Committee to hear directly from organisations delivering prevention, early intervention and support services, as well as those working in research, legal assistance and government,’ Ms Miller-Frost said. In Hobart, the Committee will hear from: Tasmanian Government Coronial Division of the Magistrates Court of Tasmania Engender Equality Laurel House Tasmanian Family and Sexual Violence Alliance Ms Tanya Brooks-Cooper In Sydney, the Committee will hear from: Suicide Prevention Australia Lifeline Australia Full Stop Australia Women’s Community Shelters Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre Settlement Services International Childlight East Asia and Pacific Hub Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety UNSW Tax and Business Advisory Clinic Ms Miller-Frost said ‘the evidence gathered at the interstate hearings would play an important role in informing the Committee’s final report’. ‘The perspectives shared by witnesses in Hobart and Sydney will help the Committee identify gaps in data, service coordination and policy responses, and highlight opportunities for reform,’ Ms Miller-Frost said. More information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and submissions, can be found on the inquiry webpage. Public hearing details Hobart Date: Monday, 13 April 2026 Time: 9.00 am to 2.30 pm Location: Committee Room 1, Parliament of Tasmania, Hobart Sydney Date: Tuesday, 14 April 2026 Time: 9.00 am to 4.45 pm Location: Corinthian Room, Sydney Masonic Centre, Sydney Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry website. Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal. Media inquiries Ms Louise Miller-Frost MP Louise.Miller-Frost.MP@aph.gov.au 0474 702 934 (Ella Grummet, media advisor) For background information Committee Secretariat spla.reps@aph.gov.au 02 6277 2358 (voicemail only) For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee will hold its first hearing of its inquiry into the link between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and suicide on Friday, 27 March 2026.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 26 March 2026

The Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee will hold its first hearing of its inquiry into the link between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and suicide on Friday, 27 March 2026. Committee Chair, Ms Louise Miller-Frost MP, said the hearing provides ‘an important opportunity to understand how Commonwealth agencies are currently capturing data, coordinating services, and responding to DFSV victimisation that is linked to suicide risk’. The Committee will hear from six Australian Government agencies: Department of Social Services Attorney-General’s Department Department of Health, Disability and Ageing National Indigenous Australians Agency Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Australian Bureau of Statistics ‘These government bodies play a central role in shaping national policy, and their insights will provide a strong launching pad for the Committee’s inquiry,’ Ms Miller-Frost continued. ‘The Committee is expecting to hold interstate hearings in April and further hearings in Canberra over the coming months,’ Ms Miller-Frost said. More information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and submissions, can be found on the inquiry webpage. Public hearing details Date: Friday, 27 March 2026 Time: 10.00 am to 12.15 pm Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry website. Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal. Media inquiries Ms Louise Miller-Frost MP Louise.Miller-Frost.MP@aph.gov.au 0474 702 934 (Ella Grummet, media advisor) For background information Committee Secretariat spla.reps@aph.gov.au 02 6277 2358 (voicemail only) For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has reopened submissions until Friday, 13 March 2026 for its inquiry into the relationship between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and suicide.

Media release issue date: Friday, 13 February 2026

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has reopened submissions until Friday, 13 March 2026 for its inquiry into the relationship between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and suicide. Chair of the Committee, Ms Louise Miller-Frost MP, said “the Committee wants to ensure that the community and the sector have ample opportunity to contribute to this inquiry and can provide the Committee with a deeper understanding of these issues and how more accurate DFSV data and trends can be obtained.” Ms Miller-Frost noted that “due to the high level of interest received to date, the Committee has agreed to reopen submissions for another six weeks from the original deadline and is now accepting submissions until Friday 13 March 2026. The Committee appreciates the high level of interest in contributing to this important inquiry and is seeking to gather as many perspectives as possible ahead of upcoming public hearings.” “Those considering making a submission to the inquiry are asked to direct their input to the terms of reference. The Committee is focussed on systemic issues and cannot investigate or assist with individual cases. The Committee will not be publishing contributions that provide personal details or include information relating to individual circumstances.” Public hearings for the inquiry will commence in February 2026. Further information about the inquiry, including the full terms of reference, is available on the inquiry page. Please be aware that the Committee is unable to intervene or provide advice in relation to individual circumstances. If you are in immediate danger, please contact 000. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the services below: Suicide Call Back Service:1300 659 467 1800 Respect: 1800 737 732 Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978 13YARN: 13 92 76 Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 Headspace: 1800 650 890 Media enquiries Ms Louise Miller-Frost MP Louise.Miller-Frost.MP@aph.gov.au 0474 702 934 (Ella Grummet, media advisor) For background information Committee Secretariat spla.reps@aph.gov.au 02 6277 2358 (voicemail only) For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has established a new inquiry into the relationship between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) victimisation and suicide, and how to ensure Australian governments are accurately counting the DFSV death toll.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 5 November 2025

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has established a new inquiry into the relationship between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) victimisation and suicide, and how to ensure Australian governments are accurately counting the DFSV death toll. Chair of the Committee, Ms Louise Miller-Frost MP, said: “Suicides related to DFSV victimisation are not currently counted in conventional assessments of Australia’s national DFSV crisis. This may mean that the true death toll is much higher than previously thought.” “Developing a methodology for more accurately counting the DFSV death toll across Australian, state and territory jurisdictions could enable better policy and programs, including prevention and early intervention, and the delivery of more effectively targeted legal, justice, health, mental health, and specialist DFSV services.” The inquiry responds to a recommendation of the Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches, which called for Australian governments to develop a consistent approach to death review processes. The Rapid Review recommended further investigation of the relationship between DFSV victimisation and suicide, with a view to developing a methodology for accurate counting of the DFSV death toll across Australian, state and territory jurisdictions. The Rapid Review said that capturing this data will enable the true scale of what the Review considers is a state of national emergency to finally be understood. Ms Miller-Frost said: “The Committee is seeking written submissions by 30 January 2026 to inform our understanding of the relationship between DFSV victimisation and suicide, and how more accurate data and trends on DFSV deaths can be obtained.” “The Committee is focussed on systemic issues and cannot investigate or assist with individual cases. The Committee will not be publishing contributions that provide personal details or include information relating to individual circumstances.” Further information about the inquiry, including the full terms of reference, is available on the inquiry website at www.aph.gov.au/dfsvsuicidedata. Written submissions can be provided through the inquiry website. Please be aware that the Committee is unable to intervene or provide advice in relation to individual circumstances. If you are in immediate danger, please contact 000. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the services below: Suicide Call Back Service:1300 659 467 1800 Respect: 1800 737 732 Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978 13YARN: 13 92 76 Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 Headspace: 1800 650 890 Media inquiries Ms Louise Miller-Frost MP Louise.Miller-Frost.MP@aph.gov.au 0474 702 934 (Ella Grummet, media advisor) For background information Committee Secretariat spla.reps@aph.gov.au 02 6277 2358 (voicemail only) For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website: www.aph.gov.au/spla. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.