M2026-01 Response to Domestic Violence Death Review Team (DVDRT) Reports
This Memorandum sets out the process for responding to reports by the Domestic Violence Death Review Team (DVDRT). The purpose of the Memorandum is to ensure that there is a consistent process across government for responding to DVDRT reports, and increased accountability and transparency in responding to DVDRT reports.
Issued: by Premier
Key information
- Status
- Active
- Type
- Premier's Memorandum
- Identifier
- M2026-01
- Compliance
- Mandatory
- Created
- Updated
Who needs to know and/or comply with this?
- Departments
- Executive agencies related to Departments
About
This Memorandum sets out the process for responding to reports by the Domestic Violence Death Review Team (DVDRT). The purpose of the Memorandum is to ensure that there is a consistent process across government for responding to DVDRT reports, and increased accountability and transparency in responding to DVDRT reports.
Established in 2010 under the Coroners Act 2009 (NSW), the DVDRT is a multi-disciplinary review body that undertakes quantitative and qualitative analyses of all domestic violence related deaths occurring in NSW. The DVDRT is convened by the State Coroner.
Using that analysis, the DVDRT develops reports aimed at facilitating improvements in systems and services to reduce future domestic violence related deaths. The DVDRT reports its findings and recommendations to NSW Parliament every two years.
This Memorandum sets out the process for responding to DVDRT reports, to ensure a consistent process across government.
When the DVDRT provides its biennial reports to the Parliament, the State Coroner (the Convenor of the DVDRT) will also provide a copy of the report to the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Attorney General.
The Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, in consultation with the Attorney General, is responsible for coordinating the whole of government response to DVDRT reports. A Government response should be developed – in consultation with relevant agencies – and provided to the Convenor of the DVDRT within six months of receiving the report. Where the DVDRT report makes recommendations directed to a Minister or NSW Government agency, the Government response should indicate whether the NSW Government accepts the DVDRT recommendations and outline any action being taken to implement them.
If the proposed Government response to DVDRT report recommendations involves significant change to Government policy, affects more than one portfolio, or has budgetary implications, the relevant Minister should bring forward a Cabinet Submission. Any cross-portfolio issues should be subject to consultation with other relevant Ministers.
Following the initial Government response, Ministers and agencies should also continue monitoring and reporting to the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault on the implementation of responses to DVDRT reports, where appropriate.
The Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, in consultation with the Attorney General, will provide the final NSW Government response to the Convenor of the DVDRT, which will be published on the Coroner’s Court website.
Chris Minns MP
Premier