"My father would regularly hurl abuse at, as well as beat me, my mother and my four siblings," she told the ACT parliament. "He would use belts and slippers and he would beat us often before and after school.

"He would often spend his pay on alcohol instead of allowing it to be spent on much-needed food, and when he was not satisfied with the dinner our mum provided, he would beat her and us if we tried to stop him."

Mrs Kikkert was speaking during debate on new family violence laws that strengthen rules for people applying for protection orders from domestic violence, including for children.

Mrs Kikkert said in Tonga where she was born there was no protection from domestic violence, with the father seen as the sole ruler of a household. The violence did not stop when the family moved to Australia when she was eight, but after some time her mother left her father to raise the children alone.

"Even then, my father would continue to attempt to visit us. He would bang on our doors every day, screaming and swearing, which would often result in my mother having to call for the police," she said.

Her father eventually returned to Tonga, but Mrs Kikkert, who was elected last year, said domestic violence was a part of her life she could never forget.

The domestic violence amendments debated on Tuesday will be finalised on Thursday. They allow people applying for a protection order to record a statement, rather than having to provide evidence over and again. Statements recorded by police will be admissible as evidence in an application for a protection order. They also allow the court to make decisions about an interim order without waiting for the alleged perpetrator to respond.

The changes give more protection to children, preventing documents being served on children at or near their school unless there is no other option. They also allow children to be included in application for protection orders, and allow protection orders to continue covering children even when a parent revokes an application.

The court will be able to restrict cross-examination of a child, and also consider whether giving evidence would harm the child's relationship with a family member.

The legislation also provides more protections for people with a disability who need a family violence protection order.

Mrs Kikkert said she would introduce some amendments to the bill before it is debated and passed on Thursday. She did not provide any details.