‘Women must be safe everywhere’: PM’s tribute to Eurydice Dixon

MALCOLM Turnbull says Australia must do more to “change the hearts of men” to respect women after comedian Eurydice Dixon’s murder.

MALCOLM Turnbull says Australia must do more to “change the hearts of men” to respect women in the wake of comedian Eurydice Dixon’s murder.

The Prime Minister spoke out about the “heartbreaking tragedy” in Question Time today as thousands of Australians prepare to mourn and pay tribute to the 22-year-old at candlelight vigils across the country tonight.

“Our hearts go out to Eurydice’s family,” Mr Turnbull told Parliament.

“Our prayers, our sympathy, our love are with them as they grieve her loss.

MORE: Heartless vandals target memorial to Eurydice Dixon

Malcolm Turnbull during Question Time. Picture Kym Smith

The murder of 22-year-old Melbourne woman Eurydice Dixon has shocked the nation.

“Women must be safe everywhere. On the street, walking through a park, in their homes, at work. We need to ensure that we have a culture of respect for women.”

Mr Turnbull added “what we must do as we grieve is ensure that we change the hearts of men to respect women” as he said state, federal and local governments were committed to providing safe environments for women in public places.

“We start with the youngest men, the little boys, our sons and grandsons, and make sure that they respect their mothers and sisters and all the women in their lives,” he said.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has paid tribute to the aspiring comedian in Parliament.

“As grown men, we must lead by example and treat women with respect and we must ensure that our cities, our towns, our country, everywhere is safe for every Australian to walk and work, whether it is a park, a workplace, whether it is in their own home. That is our commitment.

“I believe, Mr Speaker, that I speak for every honourable member in saying we must never, ever, ever, tolerate violence against women. Eurydice Dixon, we mourn her loss. We grieve with her family. And we say ‘never again.”

Floral tributes to Eurydice Dixon in Carlton’s Princes Park.

Ms Dixon was raped and murdered in Princes Park in Carlton while heading home from a comedy show at the Highlander Bar in the Melbourne CBD on Tuesday night.

She reportedly sent her boyfriend a message saying “I’m almost home safe”, but never made it.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten also expressed his shock and outrage at her death today, adding that nothing should be off limits to stop violence against women in Australia.

“As a Melburnian, when we heard the news of this dreadful murder that happened in Princes Park, I felt the same shock that millions of other people feel who are familiar with this park,” he said in response to the question from Melbourne MP Adam Bandt.

Eurydice Dixon was raped and killed on her way from a comedy gig in Melbourne’s CBD.

“My own boy has trained around the very oval where they found Eurydice. It is shocking, it is futile, it is beyond belief.

“Not again,’ I thought. ‘Not again has a woman been killed in Melbourne, or anywhere in Australia’.

“Women in Australia have a right to movement. It is not the fault of women if they choose to walk home from transport to their house.”

Mr Shorten said violence against women was ultimately preventable, adding “we need to tackle the enablers of violence and we need to change the attitudes of men”.

“We should commit ourselves here that nothing is off limits to stop violence against women or any Australian,” he said.

People continue to visit and drop off flowers at the makeshift memorial to Eurydice Dixon in Princes Park. Picture: David Crosling

Her death has prompted an outpouring of grief and anger across the nation, with candlelight vigils expected to be held in Melbourne and regional Victoria, as well as Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Hobart and Launceston tonight.

A makeshift memorial for Ms Dixon in Princes Park was vandalised with “offensive” graffiti ahead of Monday’s planned vigil.

Vigil organiser Megan Bridger-Darling was at a loss for words. “There is a level of anger ... in this city already. And for this to happen, on the day of her memorial, is absolutely galling, and insulting and deeply, deeply offensive,” she told Nine Network.

The City of Melbourne, State Government and police were expected to meet today to discuss community safety in the wake of her death.

- with AAP

Originally published as ‘Women must be safe everywhere’: PM’s tribute to Eurydice Dixon