Joe Hockey was right when he told Lisa Wilkinson the Prime Minister would make further announcements about tackling domestic violence.
After the Treasurer and Prime Minister copped criticism for allocating a “meagre” $30 million to a domestic violence awareness campaign in the 2015 budget, the Tony Abbott has today announced the Advisory Panel to reduce violence against women. However no further dollars have been committed to the national problem.
Heather Nancarrow, the CEO of the Australian National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) will join Rosie Batty on the Panel.
Both women will sit as Deputy Chairs and former Victorian Police Commissioner Ken Lay will lead the 11 panel members as Chair.
Mr Ken Lay is also leading the National Ice Task Force which is advising the Government’s handlings of the ice epidemic.
The Advisory Panel to reduce violence against women will begin advising COAG (Council of Australian Governments) immediately and will run for up to 18 months.
COAG will streamline Domestic Violence Orders (DVO) by the end of 2015 so victims won’t have to battle the varying state systems if they move interstate.
Currently, some DVOs aren’t recognised if a victim moves to another state, and therefore protection isn’t always enforced.
The joint statement from the Prime Minister and the Assistant Minister for Women, Michaelia Cash said COAG will also “develop national standards for how we intervene against perpetrators and hold them accountable.”
And as tracking devices are increasingly being used by perpetrators to track their partners, online safety will be addressed by the Advisory Panel and COAG.
The Government have committed $100 million to the Second Action Plan under the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children – which was announced in June last year – and $30 million to the national awareness campaign which is jointly funded by state governments.
“Education is fundamental to changing attitudes and achieving the cultural change that is required to eradicate domestic violence in Australia,” said the joint statement.
Other COAG Advisory Panel members include Ms Julie Oberin, Ms Tracey How, Mr Ed Mosby, Dr Vicki Hovane, Ms Maria Hagias, Commissioner Darren Hine APM, Ms Sue Salthouse, The Hon Bess Price MLA.
