Politically it doesn’t make sense for me to stand up for the Prime Minister in the lead up to a federal election, but I believe it’s important not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
In 2021, I attended the “March 4 Justice” rally outside Parliament House in Canberra. I felt it was important to attend on behalf of and in support of regional women who are disproportionately victims of domestic and family violence.
To my great disappointment, the protest and media reporting over the next several months left me feeling like we weren’t moving the dial at all and instead the only man targeted became Prime Minister Scott Morrison, as if he was the one who needed locking-up.
The pile-on Prime Minister Albanese this week represents just a fraction of the criticism Morrison endured for similarly clumsy comments. Of course, I don’t have a lot of sympathy for Albanese given it was him and the Labor party that weaponised such issues for their political benefit.
It’s worth remembering the Coalition never took the lead in Newspoll following the Higgins’ Project interview. The truth didn’t matter then. The Labor Party and their friends in the media pushed the narrative that the Liberal Party was anti-woman and that there had been a cover-up.
The treatment my colleague and friend, Senator Linda Reynolds received was unforgivable and I am pleased that she has been vindicated by the recent ruling by Justice Lee.
Whilst I might find some enjoyment in the Prime Minister getting a taste of his own medicine, it’s more important that the national focus remains on practical actions addressing why thousands of people chose to march over the weekend.
This year, 28 women have been violently killed in Australia. This number is significantly higher than in recent years and is close to one woman being murdered every four days.
This epidemic of domestic violence is unacceptable, and is a national crisis, a national shame, that deserves continued attention.
I believe everyone has a role to play, whether it be having uncomfortable conversations, calling out bad behaviour of mates or assisting friends and family in need. More attention must also be given to the rehabilitation of male perpetrators.
Of course, government has a role to play as well, especially a government that came to power promising it was uniquely capable of tackling family, domestic and sexual violence.
I welcome the announcement by the Prime Minister to establish the Leaving Violence Program making permanent the Escaping Violence Program trial that we initiated when in Government, which has already assisted more than 45,000 Australians.
Those eligible will be able to access up to $5,000 in financial support. This is great, however the real problem is whether these women, who often have children as well, will be able to find a safe place to stay. There is a severe lack of housing, particularly transitional housing, across Australia and even more so in the regions. Often women feel like they have no choice but to stay in an unsafe environment.
Statistics demonstrate that special attention must be given to the regions. Unfortunately, one of the 28 victims was attacked in the Kimberley. This should come as no surprise, given that according to WA Police data last December the rate of reported family assaults in the city was 70 per 100,000 compared to 247 in the regions and a shocking rate of 1,163 in the Kimberley specifically.
The Prime Minister must also deliver on his existing commitments. Prior to the last election Labor pledged 500 new frontline community domestic violence workers. The latest update from the Government indicates just 17 new workers have been delivered.
Addressing the crisis through National Cabinet is also appropriate, especially when state governments are often on the front line delivering support or responding to incidents. However, the Federal Government needs to do more in terms of delivering early intervention and prevention initiatives.
For years now we have known that online pornography has become more violent and viewed by a vast majority of teens. Such access is making them vulnerable to becoming victims and potential future perpetrators.
In March 2023 the eSafety Commissioner recommended the Government enact an age verification trial ensuring children cannot access pornography and other damaging material. In August, the Government rejected this recommendation and subsequently voted against a Coalition bill in November. Thankfully, this week they have backflipped and now it is time for them to urgently move forward with this.
Tackling the violence epidemic should be above politics and therefore I won’t pretend that the Prime Minister’s blunder over the weekend demonstrates some sort of woman problem. However, this Government which made this issue political, has a duty to act and while they have talked a big game the statistics have only gotten worse.
Hon Melissa Price MP
Opposition Whip
Federal Member for Durack