A group of independent MPs gathered in Canberra ahead of Tuesday’s federal budget delivery to demand the government prioritise women’s safety. The sentiment was powerful, despite the shortfall in funding ultimately given to the ‘crisis’ of violence against women.
Decked in grey t-shirts that read ‘Stop Killing Women!’, MPs such as Zoe Daniel, Zali Steggall, Sophie Scamps, Allegra Spender and Monique Ryan held a press conference around midday alongside a number of women’s safety advocates from March 4 Justice and Single Mother Families Australia.
Three years ago, the original March 4 Justice Rallies saw 25,000 people stand outside parliament, and a further 125,000 around Australia, demanding action to end men’s violence against women.
Since then, 192 women have lost their lives.
On Tuesday, the group held a vigil and budget watch on the Parliament House front lawn to honour these women.
“You can’t say you’re serious about women’s safety and not fund the programs that keep women safe,” Zoe Daniel MP said.
“Budgets are about choices. Violence against women is a national emergency. The government’s priorities must include frontline and women’s legal services, housing, and the data needed to identify risk factors and early points of intervention. Not next year. Now.”
Last week, the Prime Minister promised a $925.2 million investment over five years to suppor the Leaving Violence Program– the key initiative Labor is leveraging to address the crisis of gender-based violence in Australia.
Following yesterday’s budget announcement, this promise was reiterated, however, many advocates in the sector say it’s nowhere near the funding needed to meet surging demands across frontline services.
At Tuesday’s vigil, Zali Steggal MP said: “The fight for women’s safety cannot be achieved with good intentions alone.”
An emergency response that channels significant funding into frontline services, housing and safe shelter, as well as an urgent review of sentencing laws are required to drive the change needed now.
Too often, lenient sentencing, character references and ineffective AVOs have failed to keep women safe. Enough is enough”.
Back in 2021, the idea for March 4 Justice was put forward by Melbourne academic and educator, Janine Hendry, who sent out a Tweet pondering how many women it would take to form a circle around Parliament House, standing in protest against the treatment of women in Australia.
Yesterday, Hendry was back on the Parliament lawn, posing the question of what the government believes “a woman’s life is worth” ahead of its budget announcement.
“As well as significant investment into frontline services, we need a national DV register of all perpetrators visible to potential employers and new partners, and a national equity bill to reduce the gender inequality that drives domestic violence,” Hendry said.
“A budget that neglects long-term and systemic change is one that will fail to keep women safe.”