Australia's war on coercive control reaches the ACT—but is 2026 too late?

Content Warning: This article discusses domestic and family violence, coercive control, and related abuse, including references to homicide. It may be distressing for some readers.

The ACT is set to join a growing national movement to criminalise coercive control, but the government's mid-2026 timeline has sparked fierce debate about whether that's fast enough to save lives.

When Family Violence Minister Marisa Paterson announced the new legislation in the Legislative Assembly this week, she became the latest Australian politician to grapple with a form of domestic violence that often remains invisible until it's too late.

The NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team found that in 97 per cent of intimate partner domestic violence homicides cases, the victim had experienced coercive and controlling behaviours, while Queensland's new coercive control laws carry a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment due to the serious nature of the offence.

What coercive control means for older Australians

For many older Australians, coercive control might not look like the dramatic scenarios portrayed in movies. Instead, it's the adult child who gradually takes control of a parent's finances, the partner who isolates their spouse from old friends, or the family member who uses guilt and manipulation to control daily decisions.

Coercive control involves perpetrators using patterns of abusive behaviours over time in a way that creates fear and denies liberty and autonomy. This can include financial control, constant monitoring, humiliation, and dictating where someone goes or whom they see.

The ACT government's own research underscores why this legislation matters. An ACT government review found that coercive control had been a factor in almost every domestic violence death reviewed over a two-decade period, with patterns existing in at least 75 per cent of the homicides reviewed.

The political stoush over timing

Opposition leader Leanne Castley didn't hold back in her criticism of the government's timeline, accusing Labor of having 'dragged their heels' on an issue that could be costing lives. Her frustration reflects a broader tension across Australia about balancing thorough consultation with urgent action.

'Six months ago, we sought the call [for] the government to introduce coercive control legislation,' Castley said, announcing her intention to introduce her own bill in December rather than wait for the government's 2026 timeframe.

Dr Paterson defended the timeline, emphasising that a steering committee would guide the legislation's development with victim-survivor voices at its heart. This approach mirrors what other states have learned: rushing legislation without proper consultation and training can create more problems than it solves.

Following in the footsteps of tragic change

The push for coercive control laws across Australia gained unstoppable momentum following the 2020 murders of Hannah Clarke and her three children by her estranged husband. The tragic case of Hannah Clarke and her three children, who were murdered by her estranged husband in 2020, served as a pivotal catalyst for these legislative reforms.

Hannah's story revealed how coercive control can escalate to lethal violence, even when physical abuse hadn't been the dominant pattern. Her case became a rallying cry for reform, with her parents Sue and Lloyd Clarke becoming tireless advocates for change.

Queensland is now the second state in Australia to criminalise coercive control, following New South Wales in 2024, with Queensland's laws carrying a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison for convicted perpetrators. NSW's laws came into effect on July 1, 2024, while South Australia has also passed legislation criminalising coercive control.

A national patchwork of progress

The ACT's announcement puts it in the middle of a national race to address coercive control. Other states and territories are watching closely and planning their own reforms, creating what some advocates describe as a patchwork of different approaches and timelines.

This variation matters for older Australians who might have family spread across different states, or who might be considering relocating for retirement or care needs. Understanding which protections exist where could become increasingly important.

The federal government has recognised this complexity, developing National Principles to Address Coercive Control in Family and Domestic Violence to create consistency across jurisdictions. The National Principles create a shared national understanding of coercive control, which is important for improving the safety of Australians, particularly women and children.

What this means for you and your family

If you're an older Australian, these legal changes represent more than just policy development—they're about recognising and addressing forms of abuse that can be particularly insidious in later life.

The signs of coercive control can be difficult to spot. Behaviours can be subtle and insidious, and individually targeted and tailored to the victim‑survivor. This is especially true for older adults, where control might be masked as 'care' or 'helping with decisions.'

The legislation will also address situations where family members use children or grandchildren as tools of control, threatening to withdraw access or spread false allegations to maintain dominance over an older family member.

Getting help and support

While the ACT waits for its legislation to take effect, support services are already available for anyone experiencing coercive control. 1800RESPECT—National family, domestic and sexual violence support counselling service. This service is free and confidential. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

For older Australians specifically, the Australian Government has information about coercive control for older people, recognising that abuse in later life can have unique characteristics and challenges.

The ACT's move toward criminalising coercive control represents more than just catching up with other states—it's part of a fundamental shift in how Australia understands and responds to domestic violence. While the political debate over timing continues, the most important message for older Australians is that these behaviours are being recognised as serious crimes, and help is available now.

Whether the legislation arrives in late 2026 or sooner through opposition action, the conversation itself is changing lives. As Dr Paterson noted in her announcement: 'To those who have experienced it and those who are still living through it — you are not alone.'

What are your thoughts on the ACT's timeline for these important protections? Have you or someone you know been affected by coercive control? Share your experiences and perspectives in the comments below.