Federal Labor MP Julian Hill has called for a Senate inquiry into the ‘alarming’ practice of dowry abuse in Australia.
“This is not a benign, esoteric issue. Dowry extortion has been recognised as a direct cause of family violence and horrific murders and suicides. The alarming growth in reports has been seen in certain communities,” the Victorian MP told Parliament on Wednesday.
“Women and families who don't comply with these dowry demands face abuse and abandonment by husbands and deportation if on temporary visas and loss of Medicare and access to services,” he said.
'Completely inappropriate'
Calling it "completely inappropriate in modern Australia", Mr Hill is demanding an urgent Senate inquiry to shine the spotlight on the issue.
"I repeat my call for a dedicated Senate inquiry this year, not another House committee controlled by government muppets," he told parliament.
“I will be drafting terms of reference for this inquiry and present it to my colleagues. I hope to receive bipartisan support for this inquiry,” the MP told SBS Hindi.
Mr Hill who first took up this issue with the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs in February last year says the outcome was not satisfactory.
“The committee suggested the issue of dowry should be included in the Family Law Act.
"But it is ‘not just about family'," he said. "There are other areas to explore, including the Marriage Act, slavery laws, migration, financial dispute provisions and family violence responses by Commonwealth and state agencies.”.
Jashanpreet Singh, spokesperson of the Sikh Helpline in Australia, which has helped and counselled several victims of dowry abuse has welcomed the call for an inquiry by the MP.
Source: Public Domain
“We welcome a government inquiry into this issue as it will help bring out the facts and figures as to how many women not just in our community but Australia-wide are affected by it.
“If we can do something to change lives of these women, we should do it,” he told SBS Hindi.
Dr Manjula O’Connor, Director of the Australasian Centre for Human Rights and Health, who has worked closely with victims of dowry abuse within the Indian community and has also actively worked with the government says she supports the enquiry into dowry abuse.
Member for Bruce, Julian Hill in Melbourne, November 22, 2017. Source: AAP
“I support the inquiry into dowry and the broader issue of domestic servitude, forced labour, and financial control of the victim's earnings,” she told SBS Hindi.
Dr O’Connor says since the Victorian government announced legislation to make the dowry issue part of domestic violence law, the cases of dowry demands have reduced.
“I am seeing lesser cases of dowry demands in Victoria but that is due to a lot of publicity about coming laws against dowry abuse in Victoria.
“Other states are also seeing a dowry abuse problem. People contact me from India and other states where men have taken dowry, and then thrown the woman out of the house, and/or committed serious domestic violence,” she says.
Victorian initiative
“We must laud the Victorian Government who has taken an initiative and started work on the legislation that expands the scope of family violence to include forced marriage and dowry-related abuse. It is time we recognise that this issue is affecting women across Australia and take action,” Mr Hill said.
He said it was not possible to bar the exchanging of gifts, "but you can stop grooms and families from demanding dowry, or bride price, as it's called, before or, often after marriages, when the family then get their hooks into a vulnerable new bride".
For help or information regarding domestic violence, call the Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 737 732, or visit
