Section 2: Governance and Operational Structure

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Contents

Respect Victoria's Minister

Respect Victoria is responsible to the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence.  

The Hon. Vicki Ward was Minister for Prevention of Family Violence between July 2024 and December 2024, until the Hon. Natalie Hutchins was appointed to the portfolio in December 2024.  Along with Prevention of Family Violence, Minister Hutchins is also Minister for Women, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, and Minister for Government Services.  

Portrait of The Hon. Natalie Hutchins MP, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence

The Hon. Natalie Hutchins MP 
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence

Respect Victoria Board

Respect Victoria is governed by a skills-based board, which comprises eight directors including a Chair. The Board is responsible for the oversight and management of Respect Victoria and for ensuring that it complies with the obligations placed on it as a public sector agency.

The Board met five times during 2024-25.

Board members from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025: Kate Fitz-Gibbon (Chair); Nesreen Bottriell; Claudia Fatone; Maxine McKew; Jan Noblett; Steven Roberts; and Hang Vo.

Daphne Yarram was appointed to the Respect Victoria Board by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence in July 2023. She has not been able to take up her position on the Respect Victoria Board.

Profiles of current Board members are available on the Respect Victoria website.

Finance, Audit & Risk Committee

The purpose of the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee is to assist the Respect Victoria Board of Directors to fulfil its governance duties by ensuring that risk and reporting processes (both financial and non-financial) are in place to monitor compliance with all relevant laws, regulations and codes, including the Financial Management Act 1994 and the Standing Directions.

The Committee met four times during 2024-25.  

Committee Members from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025: Claudia Fatone (Chair); Nesreen Bottriell; Hang Vo; and Kate Fitz-Gibbon (ex-officio). 

Executive People, Performance & Governance Committee

The purpose of the Executive People, Performance & Governance Committee is to assist and advise the Respect Victoria Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer or delegate on matters relating to the compensation, performance, incentives and remuneration of Respect Victoria Executive staff. The Committee also has an oversight role in supporting and ensuring Board effectiveness.  

The Committee met two times during 2024-25.

Committee Members from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025: Kate Fitz-Gibbon (Chair); Maxine McKew; and Jan Noblett. 

Research & Evaluation Risk Committee

The purpose of the Research & Evaluation Risk Committee was to satisfy the Respect Victoria Board of Directors that research and evaluation investment serves Respect Victoria’s objectives, aligns with its Strategic Plan, and provides clear benefits to the Victorian community, and to ensure that strategic and reputational risks related to the focus of this Committee were identified and adequately managed.  

The Committee met once during 2024-25. Following this meeting, the Board agreed to disband the Committee on the basis that the Committee’s functions can be adequately delivered by the Board and the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee.

Committee Members from 30 June 2024 to 13 December 2024 (date of disbandment): Kate Fitz-Gibbon (Chair); Jan Noblett; and Steven Roberts. 

Organisational Structure

A flow chart demonstrating the reporting line of Respect Victoria's Senior Leadership Team. The Chief Executive Officer has three direct reports: the Director People, Governance & Operations; the Director Strategy, Policy & Impact; the Director Communications & Community Change.

During the reporting period, Respect Victoria comprised three Directorates: Communications & Community Change, Strategy, Policy & Impact, and People, Governance & Operations. These functions were overseen by a Senior Leadership Team led by Chief Executive Officer, Helen Bolton.