Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question and for her genuine commitment, along with that of other members of this House, to eliminate violence against women and children. And I acknowledge Rosie Batty; I'm not sure whether she's in the gallery, but I acknowledge her in the House. She is a great Australian. She took a tragedy and turned it into a motivation to make a difference for others. One life lost to domestic and family violence is one too many. But this year, as with every year, there has been one life lost after another. Recent tragedies have starkly reminded us that family and domestic violence recognises no social, economic or cultural barriers. But while it's indiscriminate, it certainly is not inevitable. We can't keep accepting this violence as inevitable, because it is unacceptable.

During 16 Days of Activism I want to reiterate the government's commitment to ending violence against women and children in one generation. We must treat this violence as something we can end and focus all our efforts on doing to, because there's no time to waste. Men in particular have to step up, and our leaders have an opportunity to champion change and create the conditions that prevent violence, abuse, discrimination and harassment.

My government is taking immediate and practical action. We have record investment of $2.3 billion in this area—ministers across government working to end family, domestic and sexual violence. We've fixed the escaping-violence payment, reducing the time it takes victims-survivors to access support by 22 days. We have extended funding for states and territories to deliver frontline services, including ones that were due to just end. We've delivered on our commitment of new frontline and community sector workers to support victims-survivors. We've legislated for 10 days of family and domestic violence leave for all employees, including casuals. We've made family law reform a priority to make the family law system simpler and safer for people who are fleeing violence. We have responded to sexual violence in university settings and through respectful-relationships education.

This is a scourge on our society. I thank the member very much for her question, and I note the colour scheme representing the 16 Days campaign that is on. We need 16 Days of Activism, but we also need 365 days a year of action and commitment to rid our society of this scourge.

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