'Computer error led to son killer's freedom'

Victoria Police's chief commissioner has admitted that a computer error may have allowed Greg Anderson to remain a free man before he killed his son at cricket training.

Officers who spoke to Anderson three weeks ago never arrested the 54-year-old because they were unaware there were five warrants out for his arrest, Chief Commissioner Ken Lay said this morning.

Anderson killed his 11-year-old son Luke Batty at an oval in the Melbourne suburb of Tyabb on Wednesday night before he was shot dead by police.

Mr Lay said the tragedy provided an opportunity for the force to improve the way it handled cases of family violence, saying there were "thousands of Lukes" out there.

The comments come as Prime Minister Tony Abbott today paid his respects to the victim.

Mr Abbott called for everyone to do their bit to stamp out domestic violence, but questioned whether every tragedy should force a change in government policy or programs.

"That was an unspeakable tragedy, an absolute unspeakable tragedy and just horrific beyond words," Mr Abbott told Fairfax Radio.

"As for domestic violence, all of us have got to do everything we humanly can as citizens and as officials to work against it.

"If we hear of anything untoward, we should take appropriate action and if it's police or judicial officials, we've got to act very swiftly on the basis of any credible evidence."

Mr Abbott says the government has a national plan to deal with domestic violence.

"I am sure that everyone in this field will be galvanised to be even more vigilant as a result of this, but I'm not sure every tragedy requires a change of policy or every tragedy requires a new program," he said.

"What we need to ensure is that everyone does his or her job as well as we humanly can.

"The awful tragedy of life is that sometimes terrible things happen."

Players from the Tyabb Cricket Club won't play this weekend as a mark of respect for the young player.

Source: news.com.au