Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend notice of motion No. 282 to correct a typo. This is entirely my fault. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was of course 25 November, not 5 November.

Leave granted.

I wish to inform the chamber that Senator Waters will also be sponsoring the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senator Waters, move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) 25 November 2019, was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women,

  (ii) it marked the beginning of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence,

  (iii) the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence concludes on 10 December 2019, which is Human Rights Day,

  (iv) on average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner, and

  (v) eight women a day are hospitalised after being assaulted by their spouse or partner;

(b) acknowledges that:

  (i) violence against women exists in many forms, including physical, psychological, sexual, emotional, social and financial,

  (ii) the effort to end violence against women requires unwavering genuine commitment, national leadership and fundamental cultural and attitudinal change,

  (iii) the responsibility to end violence against women rests with us all – from communities to individuals, governments, civil society and business, and

  (iv) the government and business can make it easier for women to leave abusive and violent relationships;

(c) recognises that the workplace represents a significant aspect of the prevention of family violence and violence against women, and notes that:

  (i) financial security and independence is vital to a woman leaving a violent relationship,

  (ii) in leaving a violent relationship, women will need to search for new and safe accommodation, and access health, legal and other support services,

  (iii) according to the ACTU, leaving an abusive relationship and finding new and safe accommodation costs on average $18,280 and takes an estimated 141 hours, and

  (iv) many employers already provide paid family violence leave; and

(d) calls on the Federal Government to introduce 10 days paid domestic violence leave in the National Employment Standards.