27/11/2023 

Private Members' Business

Elimination Of Violence Against Women

Ms CLAYDON (Newcastle-Deputy Speaker) (10:36): I move:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) 25 November 2023 marks the United Nations' Internation al Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, beginning 16 days of activism against gender-based violence;

(b) in Australia, it has been publicly reported that approximately 47 women have been killed by acts of violence as of 9 November this year;

(c) one in three Australian women have experienced physical violence perpetrated by a man since the age of 15; and

(d) violence affects women of every age, from every cultural background, with different jobs and levels of education or income, living in different areas and leading different lives;

(2) commends the work of the family, domestic and sexual violence sector, which is delivering vital services to women, children and men;

(3) further notes that the Government is taking immediate and practical steps to prevent violence against women by:

(a) investing a record 3,000 to 2.3 billion investment in this area. We've released a 10-year national plan to end violence against women and children, including a dedicated plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We've added 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave to the National Employment Standards, reduced time for victims-survivors to access the Escaping Violence Payment, secured funding for the delivery of frontline services and have committed to growing this workforce. We've increased financial support for temporary visa holders experiencing violence, and we're making the family law system simpler and safer for people fleeing family violence.

It's going to take every level of government, business, schools, sports clubs, families and neighbourhoods-every part of our community-to work with us to make this ambition a realistic goal. Let's keep women and children safe in Australia.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Dr Freelander): Is the motion seconded?

Ms Mascarenhas: I second the motion and reserve my rights.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I thank the member for Swan. The motion is seconded. The question is the motion be agreed to.