Labor urged to do more to protect women from violence
Andrew Brown |
The coalition has urged more action to protect women from domestic and family violence, as new leave entitlements come into effect.
From this week, people who work in small businesses will be entitled to 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave.
Similar entitlements have been in place for employees in larger businesses since the beginning of February.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the measures allow for people not to have to choose between their job or dealing with domestic violence.
“It is an important step towards our goal to end violence against women and children,” Ms Rishworth told parliament on Thursday.
“There must be zero tolerance for the violence in our communities. No one should be living in terror each day or living in fear of the person who professes to love them.”
The opposition said while it welcomed domestic and family violence leave, more measures were needed to protect women.
Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley said the number of women being murdered was increasing, labelling it as a national disgrace.
“We need to stop women being murdered. We want to live in a society where women do not need to rely on family and domestic violence leave,” she said.
“More Australians have had a meaningful debate about Barbie versus Oppenheimer than about respectful relationships and stopping domestic violence. We all need to do better.”
Advocacy group Our Watch says on average one woman is murdered by their current or former partner each week.
Ms Rishworth said domestic violence did not discriminate.
“This year alone, we’ve already seen too many lives lost to family and domestic violence,” she said.
“One life lost is one too many. These are women of every age from every cultural background, with different jobs and levels of education or income, living in different areas, living different lives.”
AAP
