Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Reid for her question and commend her on her strong work in parliamentary committees on this issue and note that she spoke about domestic violence in her first speech to this place. There is no excuse for family, domestic or sexual violence. Excuses like, 'It's not that bad,' 'I can't help it, 'Someone else made me do it' are no excuse, which is why we will not rest and there is always more work to be done.

One in six women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or previous partner since the age of 15. Sadly, things that draw communities together can also tear families apart. We saw that during COVID when we all stayed home to stay safe. But for many women, home was not a safe place to be. Last year the Morrison government was able to deliver $150 million in a domestic violence response package because of the changing needs of COVID, in addition to our $340 million record investment in the fourth action plan. As we across the parliament address some of the shocking allegations and behaviours that have come to light, it's important that we focus on outcomes—outcomes for the women we represent, outcomes for the women who are counting on us out there.

Ms Collins interjecting—

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