Zaneta Mascarenhas (Swan, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Financial abuse is insidious and it is persistent. Often, when a woman leaves a physically violent home, the abuse doesn't stop; financial abuse continues to occur. It has a long tail, and it affects women and children predominantly.

What's fascinating is that financial abuse does not stop in death, and so what we've seen happen is that perpetrators have been able to access the superannuation benefits of dead victims. This flaw was exposed in the financial abuse inquiry which I helped instigate and was chaired by the fearless Senator O'Neill. Thanks to Julie Adams for her advocacy and strength in sharing her beautiful daughter Molly Wilkes's story.

We are now one step closer to closing that loophole. Just last week, I stood shoulder to shoulder with the Assistant Treasurer, the Minister for Social Services and the Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence. This government has begun public consultation to stop perpetrators profiting from victims' deaths. It is not a coincidence that this is one step closer to justice. We are a government that listens and acts. I encourage community groups, frontline workers and members of the public to make a submission before 15 April. This is one step closer to a safer, more inclusive Australia.

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