Gender Equity Discussions in the House of Reps (30/10/2025)

Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence

• Ministerial Commitment: Tanya Plibersek, the Minister for Social Services, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating domestic violence during the proceedings on 30 October 2025. She presented alarming statistics indicating that one in four women has experienced intimate partner violence since age 15, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue (page 1).
• Funding and Resources: Plibersek announced a funding commitment of over $4 billion aimed at various initiatives to combat domestic violence. This funding is directed towards supporting frontline services, legal assistance for victims of sexual violence, and the development of prevention programs (pages 3-4).
• Technological Challenges: The Minister raised concerns about new challenges in the realm of domestic violence, particularly related to the misuse of technology, such as tracking devices and online harassment. She emphasized the necessity of government strategies to create a safer environment for women facing these emerging threats (page 2).
• Highlighting Victims and Survivors: Plibersek acknowledged the importance of listening to victims and survivors of domestic violence, indicating that their experiences are central to the government’s response (page 1).

Opposition Viewpoints

• Melissa McIntosh’s Response: Melissa McIntosh, MP for Lindsay, contributed to the discussions by sharing her constituents’ experiences with family violence. She labeled the situation as a national crisis, specifically stressing the increased violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (page 4).
• Call for Urgent Action: McIntosh criticized the existing government responses as insufficient, demanding improved coordination among governments and frontline services to ensure timely support for affected families. She articulated a sense of urgency that she believes is required in combating family violence (pages 5-6, 8).

Next Steps

• Further Discussions: Following the presentations by Plibersek and McIntosh, there was a reference back to the Federation Chamber to continue discussions on the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission’s report. This indicates a governmental acknowledgment of the need for ongoing dialogue and legislative action to address the issues presented (page 9).

Throughout the proceedings, both government and opposition representatives emphasized the critical need for comprehensive measures to protect women and children affected by domestic violence, ensuring that discussions lead to actionable reforms and improved legislative frameworks.