Linda Burney (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To bring about any change in the domestic violence and family violence space requires brave, uncompromising leadership, not just when an awful incident occurs, as we saw in Queensland in the last week, but each and every day of each and every year. It's not just about the weekly murders, the shocking unheard statistics that we so often don't see—women left broken, scared, with no sense of self, isolated, with permanent scars and disability.

Domestic and family violence does not discriminate. We saw that so clearly in the last week. We are getting better at talking about it, but not in all cultures and not in all places. As I said, this requires uncompromising leadership. Cultural change has to come about in this country on this issue. We must value women and understand the insidious nature of control and the insidious nature of this issue. We cannot see this only through a gendered lens. Men must be champions and men need to change. We just can't leave this another moment. It is to do with housing, economic independence, self-esteem and support. But, most importantly, domestic and family violence is all of our business.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.