Australia news LIVE: Social media ban set to pass, electoral reforms delayed in chaotic final sitting day of the year

The Allan government has knocked back a bill to give Victorians who may be at risk of family violence the ability to access information about their partner or former partner.

The scheme, known as the Right to Ask, Right to Know mechanism, is operating in South Australia following success in the UK. The proposed bill included a mechanism for concerned family members or friends to apply for information about their loved one’s partner.

Shadow minister for women, Cindy McLeish, tabled the bill in the lower house on Thursday morning.

“It gives primarily women, but also others, an opportunity to go to the police to find out whether their partner or former partners has a [criminal] record, has things they should be concerned about. Have they had convictions in this family violence space? Have there been intervention orders? Have there been safety notices?”

The Greens, who hold three votes in the lower house, voted in favour of the bill alongside Coalition MPs, but it was knocked back 28-48.

In an impassioned debate, Nationals MP Jade Benham implored the government to support the legislation following the family violence crisis.

“I’m pleading with the government for people like myself, for people like the nine Victorians this year but didn’t get the chance, for people like the 82 women this year in Australia, but didn’t get the chance. It’s time to stop politicising this.”

Labor MP Daniela De Martino said it was inappropriate to introduce the bill on the last sitting day of the year, and said Victoria was the leading the nation on family violence prevention.

McLeish estimated the total cost to operate the scheme would be a few million dollars each year.