George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

It is of course a very important question and a very timely question on White Ribbon Day. This is, as all honourable senators know, a very grave problem for Australia. This year already 78 women have been murdered in this country by a current or former partner. Last night, the ABC documentary Hitting Home reported that police around Australia are called to a family violence episode approximately every two minutes. Women and children in Australia have the right to feel safe and live without fear of violence.

In Australia we have a tremendous opportunity to ensure that women are safe at home, safe on the streets and safe online, with Rosie Batty as Australian of the year, the COAG advisory panel on violence against women and the $100 million women's safety package announced by the Prime Minister and Senator Cash on 24 September. That package is in addition to the government's $100 million investment in the second national action plan to reduce violence against women and their children and the $30 million national campaign to reduce violence against women and their children, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the states and territories, which commences early in 2016.

Today the Prime Minister and the Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Christian Porter, released research revealing that adults and young people excuse disrespectful and aggressive behaviour towards women without sometimes even realising it. This research will inform and develop the $30 campaign of which I have spoken. On White Ribbon Day I am sure that each and every member of this chamber is united in their determination to address and, where possible, eliminate this problem.