NSW women’s safety commissioner role no longer dual

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The NSW government has split up the previously dual role of women’s safety commissioner and a role in the Department of Communities and Justice.

Dr Hannah Tonkin, who was announced as commissioner in December last year by the previous government, will no longer have the role of executive director, women, family and community safety in the department.

Tonkin said separating the positions meant she was “best positioned to deliver this significant remit and drive change to improve women’s safety by strengthening interagency coordination and collaboration across government”.

She started with the state government in February this year.

The commissioner is responsible for the whole-of-government approach to domestic, family and sexual violence.

Splitting up the role was one advocated by sexual, family and domestic violence not-for-profit Full Stop Australia in its submission to the NSW domestic family violence plan 2022-2027.

“We submit that the women’s safety commissioner must be independent from the government for transparency and accountability reasons,” the submission stated.

“The commissioner must also be adequately funded and supported to conduct their work.”

Tonkin’s previous experience includes time as director for disability rights at the Australian Human Rights Commission and a principal legal officer at the United Nations.

NSW prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault minister Jodie Harrison said the government was approaching the issue holistically.

“We are bringing this crisis to the fore to include it in every conversation and every action we take as a government,” Harrison said.

“No one should have to live in fear, which is why we are continuing to invest in prevention and work across government to ensure the needs of victim-survivors are being heard and met.”

“This move recognises the critical need for strong and focused leadership across all government agencies, working in close collaboration with the domestic, family and sexual violence sector,” Domestic Violence NSW CEO Delia Donovan said.

This article references domestic, family and sexual violence. If you or a loved one need help, call 1800 RESPECT. In an emergency, call 000.

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