She was replying to criticism by coroner Peter Wilson this week of "gross failure" by police in the handling of the deaths of Sonja Anne Mercer and Darren William Batchelor, at their Longford home in April 2001, and Michelle Gayle Morcom and Jamie Aaron Venn, at Mayfield, on December 2, 2002.

Mr Wilson made the criticism at the handing down of his coronial inquest findings into the two murder-suicides on Thursday.

Ms Jackson said that a business case for the reforms would be considered as part of the State Budget process, and she aimed to have legislation before Parliament this year.

"The legislation will include the creation of new Family Violence Orders that serve to protect women and children," she said.

"It is vital that incidents of family violence are dealt with swiftly and that offenders face arrest, charges and prosecution."

The Safe At Home reform package includes:

¤Improved police training on domestic violence.

¤Increased penalties for offences.

¤The capacity for courts to order offenders to be assessed for suitability for participation in rehabilitation programmes.

The Safe at Home paper has been commended by police, Justice Department and domestic violence workers, but there has been criticism since it was released last August that the implementation of its reforms was too slow.

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