CW: domestic violence.
The Prime Minister has called an urgent National Cabinet meeting with state and territory leaders to address violence against women.
It comes after thousands gathered at nationwide rallies over the weekend, following the alleged murders of at least 27 women this year, according to Counting Dead Women Australia.
Anthony Albanese said National Cabinet will meet on Wednesday, with “one issue on the agenda: immediate, meaningful and practical action to address family violence”.
National Cabinet to discuss violence against women
National Cabinet is a meeting between state and territory leaders. They usually meet four times a year.
Albanese said the leaders will discuss the Government’s 10-year National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children at National Cabinet. Under this plan, Australian governments last year agreed to a new target of a 25% annual reduction in the number of women killed by partners.
So far this year, more women have allegedly been killed compared to the same time last year.
“It’s not going to happen overnight, it’s not going to be one government, it’s going to be everyone working together.”
Minister for Women Katy Gallagher on the Government’s plan to respond to rising rates of gender-based violence.
Response
Advocacy group ‘What Were You Wearing? Australia’ organised rallies across the country over the weekend.
The group has outlined five demands, including that the Government declare a “national emergency“ and take immediate action against gender-based violence.
However, Albanese has said he will not declare a national emergency.
“An emergency declaration by state or territory governments kicks in immediate, one-off actions by the federal government. What we need here is not one-off actions, what we need is a concerted plan.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaking to the ABC about why he will not declare a national emergency to respond to gender-based violence.
Opposition
Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes told Sky News Australia that “organising another talk-fest is not good enough”.
TDA reached out to the Opposition for further comment. They did not respond at the time of publishing.
Roundtable
This week’s National Cabinet meeting to discuss violence against women comes ahead of a roundtable led by the national Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin on 7 May.
Decision-makers, academics, and community advocacy groups will discuss how to eradicate gender-based violence through better prevention, early intervention, responses to violent incidents, and recovery.
They will also discuss the disproportionately high rates of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
1800 RESPECT
Call: 1800 737 732
Text: 0458 737 732
Video: 1800RESPECT.org.au
