Minister for Indigenous Australians
The Albanese Labor Government is reaffirming its ongoing commitment to a safer, violence-free Australia for all women and children today in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the launch of the United Nations' global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Parliament House will light up orange - a powerful, visible reminder of the lives impacted by family and domestic and sexual violence - and importantly honour the lives we have lost.
Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, said that the 2024 theme Every 10 Minutes, a Woman is Killed. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence against Women is an important reminder that ending gender-based violence is the responsibility of all Australians.
"This year, the Albanese Labor Government has made significant efforts to combat the ongoing rates of gender-based violence across the country, but there is more that must be done," Minister Rishworth said.
"A whole of society response is needed and ending gender-based violence requires genuine, ongoing effort from everyone, everywhere.
"From our programs targeting perpetrators and preventative initiatives, to support services assisting women and children who have experienced gender-based violence, our Government is invested in tackling this pervasive human rights violation from all angles.
"This is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to the consistent and persistent action required to end gender-based violence in one generation, and look ahead with hope to the lives that can - and will - be positively changed as a result."
The $4 billion investment has seen the establishment and continuation of 113 initiatives to deliver on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 in prevention, early intervention, response, and recovery and healing.
Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said that IDEVAW and the 16 Days of Activism provides a chance to reflect on the unacceptable rates of violence against women and that this violence must end.
"Women should be safe in their workplaces, homes and communities.
"It is also a reminder that while the government has taken action, investing more than $4 billion to support women's safety, there is still more work to do."
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said nationally, First Nations women are seven times more likely to be homicide victims than non-Indigenous women, and of these women, 75% are killed by a current or former partner.
"First Nations women are 33 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family and domestic violence than non-Indigenous women," Minister McCarthy said.
"Addressing the disproportionately high rates of family violence experienced by First Nations women and children requires a concerted effort.
"The Albanese Government is committed to working with First Nations people and organisations as we develop the standalone National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan."
Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Justine Elliot said that the work to end gender-based violence in one generation must be constant.
"Eliminating violence against women and children is our national priority - backed by immediate action and driven by a generational goal", Assistant Minister Elliot said.
"The 16 Days of Activism provides an important moment for us to reflect on the ways we can all work together, but of course this resolve must be year-round."
Through progressive budgets since the release of the National Plan in 2022, the Government has committed to strengthen the safety of women and children, including taking immediate and practical steps to support victims of family and domestic violence, including:
- $925.2 million to permanently establish the Leaving Violence Program - so those escaping violence can receive financial support, safety assessments and referrals to support pathways.
- $80 million boost to enhance and expand child-centric trauma-informed supports for children and young people.
- $351 million funding under a renewed, five-year National Partnership Agreement on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses frontline services, to be matched by states and territories.
- $19.4 million to establish a National Student Ombudsman to help to eradicate gender-based violence from universities and $18.7 million over four years to establish a National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence.
- $13.1 million in targeted investments to support refugee and migrant women, including for the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support program and to support visa holders experiencing domestic and family violence.
- $11.7 million over two years to extend the First Nations Family Dispute Resolution pilot to deliver culturally safe family dispute resolution services.
- $6.5 million in 2024-25 for the Age Assurance Pilot to Protect Children from Harmful Online Content.
- $6 million over two years for the provision of local outreach trauma-informed healthcare support to women and children experiencing domestic and family violence or homelessness, provided through Primary Health Networks on the Central Coast.
