Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of senators Kitching and Collins, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

  (i) the life and work of Ms Fiona Richardson, member of the Victorian parliament and Australia's first Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence,

  (ii) that Ms Richardson, as a member and minister, was deeply committed to the importance of effective family violence policy which was focussed on the needs and experiences of victims,

  (iii) that Ms Richardson bravely made her personal family experiences public, making a strong commitment to the community to implement and resource the recommendations of the Victorian Royal Commission, and to eradicate violence in the home within a generation and to end its dangerous and costly impacts on families and children,

  (iv) that Ms Richardson's inspiration and practical strategic planning have supported women and children across her state and contributed to the national response to the scourge of violence, and

  (v) that Ms Richardson's challenge that we can do more and must do more will continue to lead the debate; and

(b) sends its sympathy to Ms Richardson's family, her friends and community.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government expresses its condolences to the family and friends of Fiona Richardson, the Victorian Minister for Women and the Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence. The government worked with Fiona on the bipartisan issue of tackling the scourge of domestic violence. Her passion for protecting women and girls was admirable and her contribution will be remembered by all sides of politics. Fiona will be missed by her constituency in the seat of Northcote and her colleagues in the Victorian parliament.

Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Victorian government deserves praise for launching a royal commission into domestic violence. Fiona Richardson, as minister, was there right through the inquiry and out the other side to implement those findings. She was determined to eliminate inequality in women's lives and workplaces. The Greens thank her for her hard work and commitment on this crucial cause. Her own direct experience with family violence, explored in the most intimate and confronting way by Australian Story last year and rebroadcast last week, informed and drove her groundbreaking work in this area. She has changed the course of history for many Victorian families and communities for decades to come. We owe her our gratitude for those lives she will inevitably have saved. She died before her time and well before her work was done. The onus is now on every one of us to carry on this legacy and fight for a fairer, safer world for women across the country.

Question agreed to.