Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This week we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, initiating the 16 days of activism against gender based violence. This global campaign compels us to confront the unacceptable reality: violence against women and girls remains a pervasive issue in Australia, with over 60 women tragically losing their lives to domestic violence this year.

In Durack, our regional and remote communities face particular challenges. The Kimberley region alone recorded 1,096 family assaults between July and September this year. These figures quite simply are devastating, reflecting a crisis that is undermining the safety and cohesion of communities. Anecdotally, this is due to alcohol and drug abuse. Violence against women and girls is inexcusable. While it is a complex, multifaceted problem, it is not insurmountable.

Today we recommit to the goal of eliminating gender based violence. This involves addressing its root causes, breaking cycles of violence and fostering a culture of respect and equality. However, women in regional, rural and remote areas like Durack face unique challenges. Women living on farms or in small towns often hesitate to seek help due to the lack of anonymity and also that fear of gossip in tight-knit communities. Our sisters in cities hopefully have more privacy and are able to access a broader range of services. Regional women's needs differ significantly from those in metropolitan areas, and this requires tailored programs that address these specific barriers.

One such program is the remarkable DVassist, which provides women in regional and remote Western Australia with free, anonymous and confidential counselling through phone and online services. This service is simply a lifeline that ensures those who seek help can access the discreet support they need without fear of exposure or judgement.

But, of course, men and boys are vital partners in preventing violence. Engaging them in this mission is key—of course it's key—to breaking cycles of violence and transforming societal norms. Men are essential to the solution, and I strongly believe that there should be more focus on supporting programs that help our men to simply be better men.

The coalition demonstrated our commitment to women's safety with around $1 billion. This funding helped support women escaping violent relationships and strengthened frontline domestic and family violence services, but we need to do more. There are a lot of words spoken about keeping our women and our girls safe, but I think we all know in this place that words simply aren't enough. We need more action, and we need it now. Let's commit to eliminating gender based violence no matter where our women are and no matter where they live.