Media Release by The Hon Tanya Pibersek MP

Time for action against Domestic Violence

Minister for Housing and the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek and Victorian Minister for Housing, Richard Wynne today met with members of the Family Violence Statewide Advisory Committee at the Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service in North Melbourne.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both Ministers to discuss how the Australian and State Governments are addressing violence against women.

Ms Plibersek said the Rudd Government was committed to taking action to provide more support for victims and their families, and reduce the incidence of violence against women.

“The Government’s position on domestic violence and sexual assault is one of zero tolerance – one victim of violence is one too many,” Ms Plibersek said.

“The creation of the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children in May 2008 was the Government’s first step in dealing with the serious issue of violence against women.

“The Council and the Government have now released Time For Action, which is the most comprehensive report on domestic violence in Australia.

“We will immediately progress 18 of the 20 priority recommendations with an initial investment of $42 million, and will consider the other two in the context of developing the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women by 2010.”

Ms Plibersek said Time for Action identified the need for unified action from all levels of government.

Ms Plibersek congratulated the Victorian Government for responding to the Time For Action report by taking the lead in implementing new family violence measures.

Ms Plibersek said the Australian Government is working hard to implement the whole-of-government reforms put forward in the White Paper on Homelessness, The Road Home.

“We know that domestic and family violence is the major cause of homelessness amongst women and children,” Ms Plibersek said.

“This is why we are focussing on measures to keep women and children safe, and we intend to provide women and children with safe, secure and sustainable housing following domestic violence.”