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Malcolm Turnbull's scathing attack on men who commit domestic violence

Judith Ireland
National political reporter
Date September 24, 2015 - 10:20AM

[YT of embed}

Malcolm Turnbull: 'Women must be respected'
Disrespecting women should be seen as 'un-Australian', says the Prime Minister, as he unveils a multi-million dollar strategy to combat domestic violence.Courtesy ABC News 24.

'Overlooked for too long': PM acts on violence
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-turnbull-to-go-hard-against-domestic-violence-20150923-gjtcui.html

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has called on all Australians to make a "cultural shift" and stop disrespecting women, declaring that gender inequality lies at the heart of domestic violence.

"Violence against women is one of the great shames of Australia. It is a national disgrace"

In comments that have been labelled a "gamechanger" for the fight against domestic violence, Mr Turnbull called on parents, teachers
and employers to get on board the culture change, saying he wanted Australia to become known as a country that respects women.


Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Minister for Women Michaelia Cash and chair of the Advisory
Panel on Reducing Violence against Women and their Children, Ken Lay. Photo: Eddie Jim

"I'd say that as parents, one of the most important things we must do is ensure that our sons respect their mothers and their sisters," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday.

"Because ... violence against women begins with disrespecting women. And so this is a big cultural shift."

This year alone, more than 60 women have been killed by a partner or family member. One in six Australian women have experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner.


Australian of the Year Rosie Batty.

"Violence against women is one of the great shames of Australia. It is a national disgrace," Mr Turnbull said.

He also said it should be "unAustralian" to disrespect women.

"Let me say this to you: disrespecting women does not always result in violence against women. But all violence against women begins with disrespecting women," Mr Turnbull said.

The Prime Minister made his rallying cry while announcing $100 million in federal funding to help stop violence against women.

The package, which was signed off by his new cabinet earlier this week, includes funding to trial GPS trackers for perpetrators, special safe phones for victims and other measures - like CCTV cameras - to boost the security of women at home.

There is also additional funding for Indigenous family violence services, 1800 RESPECT and MensLine and a program which teaches school students about respectful relationships.

Domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty, whose has advised on the reforms was emotional on Thursday at their launch.

"We finally are starting to hear from the leaders of our country that they are addressing this issue, that they recognise the responsibility they have to lead our society, our communities, by speaking the language we need to hear," the 2015 Australian of the Year said.

"We have still a long way to go, but by recognising the gender issue that exists ... that sends the message far and wide."

Minister for Women Michaelia Cash described the emphasis on respect for women as a "gamechanger".

The Abbott government was due to make a major announcement on domestic violence at the end of the week that Tony Abbott was dumped from the leadership.

It is understood the funding package announced on Thursday is similar to the one Mr Abbott was to announce.

Funding 'not enough'

But the $100 million package received a cautious welcome from some groups on Thursday.

Anti-domestic violence group, Fair Agenda described the announcements as "a good start but they're not enough".

In a recent report, Fair Agenda itemised more than $300 million worth of funding that is needed to plug service gaps.

"The federal government still isn't providing enough funding for critical frontline services like emergency accommodation and community legal centres. Or services to stop abuse - like men's behaviour change and primary prevention programs," executive director Renee Carr said.

Federal funding for community legal centres, where family violence victims often turn for help, is expected to fall from about $42 million to $30 million from 2017-18, according to budget papers.

The National Association for Community Legal Centres said that with a third of their work taken up with domestic violence, they were currently forced to turn away more than 150,000 people a year.

"The funding announced today is expected to increase some capacity, but thousands of women still won't be able to access the legal assistance they need to escape abuse," National Association for Community Legal Centres spokeswoman Rosslyn Monro said.

The Tara Costigan Foundation - set up in the memory of a Canberra woman who was killed earlier this year - said an overall strategy was missing.

"There is still no strategy to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive approach that addresses family violence from the exposure of children, through to the acceptance of violence as normal or acceptable, and finally to crisis services and then to programs that help people rebuild their lives," chief executive Michael Costigan said.

with Jane Lee
1800 Respect - the National Sexual Assault Domestic Family
Violence Counselling Service - can be reached on 1800 737 732

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-turnbulls-scathing-attack-on-men-who-commit-domestic-violence-20150923-gjtpqt.html

Good one Malcolm, nothing like a breath of fresh air.

Australian PM Tony Abbott ousted by Malcolm Turnbull
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=116974731

Also, I hope pressure builds toward change of a US military policy which allows gross disrespect for Afghan families and children, and disrespect toward good American military personnel.

U.S. Soldiers Told to Ignore
Sexual Abuse of Boys by Afghan Allies
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=117177867