Statement on domestic and family violence

Domestic and family violence is totally abhorrent and unacceptable. It is as simple as that. There are no excuses for it.

As a Government, our goal is to reduce and prevent domestic, family and sexual violence.

Feeling safe and living without fear of violence is everyone’s right. Ending violence is everyone’s responsibility.

To do this, we must change attitudes and behaviours of perpetrators, and change attitudes and behaviours towards women and girls. We must speak, write and report more accurately and empathetically about domestic violence. We must all think more carefully about our expectations of healthy, respectful relationships.

As ministers who are passionate about the work we do with and for women, we are appalled and saddened by the terrible events in Queensland. Our hearts go out to those who loved Hannah Clarke and her three children, Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey. We are thinking of those other victims of violence for whom this tragedy brings painful memories.

It is unacceptable that one woman is killed every week in Australia at the hands of a partner. Every single death is one too many.

A family should be among the most loving set of relationships a person has. Violence within it is a brutal act of betrayal. We must all work to eradicate perverse attitudes that lead to control, manipulation, abuse and ultimately violence within families and homes.

The Morrison Government has zero tolerance for violence against women and their children. We work closely with the states and territories in the framework of the Women’s Safety Ministers Council and the Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022, to target action and investment across Australia to address violence against women.

If this topic raises particular distress for you, please know there are organisations around the nation that can help:

• 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732
• Lifeline 131 114
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
• MensLine 1300 78 99 78