Premier Jacinta Allan has announced a new parliamentary role in the Victorian government to change men’s behaviour and encourage more respectful relationships within the community.
The Premier appointed Tim Richardson MP, the member for Mordialloc, as the inaugural Parliamentary Secretary for Men’s Behaviour Change, on top of some other changes she made to Parliamentary Secretary responsibilities in the state government.
Allan said the Men’s Behaviour Change parliamentary secretary role – the “first position of its kind” to exist in Australia – is part of her government’s commitment to “make Victoria a safer place for women and children” and to put a stop to “the tragedy of deaths of Victorian women at the hands of men”.
“This is the first position of its kind in Australia – and will focus largely on the influence the internet and social media have on boys’ and men’s attitudes towards women and building respectful relationships,” Allan said in a statement.
Tim Richardson MP posted on social media announcing the news of the “national first” appointment.
“We know that the time to act on men’s violence against women is now and it starts with us men and boys,” Richardson said.
“This is not easy work, but it is important, and we can’t afford not to address it and waste a moment.”
In state governments, a parliamentary secretary is appointed by the Premier to assist ministers with their portfolio responsibilities. In Victoria, there are parliamentary secretaries appointed for a range of portfolios, including transport, First Nations peoples, jobs, housing and more.
Richardson will be working alongside Victoria’s Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Vicki Ward MP, in his new role. He will continue his responsibilities as the Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, but will cease his service in the health and infrastructure space.
Premier Jacinta Allan has been vocal on the issue of men’s violence against women throughout her time in office. Last month, the Premier declared gender-based violence the “number one law and order issue” in Australia.
“We know that on average one woman in every nine days is killed by someone who is known to them – a current or former partner,” she said at the time.
“This level of violence against women is not just unacceptable. It has to stop and women and the broader community are calling for it to stop. Women are fed up, they’re frustrated, they’re angry.
“Not just women who are murdered, but women who are seeing repeated acts of violence perpetrated against them. This has to stop.”
According to Destroy the Joint’s Counting Dead Women, men’s violence has taken the lives of 31 Australian women in 2024.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.
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