Media Statement - 5th November 2009
Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek and Attorney-General Robert McClelland today met in Sydney with their state and territory counterparts to discuss progress on national efforts to reduce violence against women.
The Australian Government in April this year released Time for Action, the major report of the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.
Governments are currently working together to develop a National Plan to be released next year.
The report makes recommendations designed to tackle the unacceptable levels of sexual assault and domestic and family violence in Australia.
It gives all governments and the community clear directions about helping Australian women live free of violence, within respectful relationships and in safe communities.
The Ministers today agreed that the National Plan will specifically address violence against Indigenous women.
They also agreed to prioritise 12 national projects including collaboration between family law and state justice systems, national helpline services and improving perpetrator programs.
The Government's position on violence against women is zero tolerance.
Laws must be strong enough to hold perpetrators to account and offer justice and safety for victims and their families.
We must also educate young people to prevent violence in future generations.
Sexual assault, domestic and family
violence have serious and often devastating consequences for victims, their
extended families and the community.
Through the development of a
National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women, the Rudd Government remains
committed to providing national leadership on this critical
issue.