MPs urge Anthony Albanese to take accelerated action on gender-based violence

Crossbench MPs have called on the PM to treat gender-based violence with the same urgency as “acts of terrorism”, saying “only men can stop this”.

Anthony Albanese must treat gender-based violence with the same level of urgency as “acts of terrorism”, crossbench MPs say.

In a joint letter sent to the Prime Minister on Monday afternoon, the MPs say improvements are needed to better identify risks and opportunities for intervention.

Victorians Zoe Daniel, Dr Monique Ryan and Helen Haines are among the 11 signatories who plan to meet with Mr Albanese to discuss the issue following Wednesday’s national cabinet meeting.

“We need to treat gender-based violence with the same level of urgency we show acts of terrorism, and at a rate of a woman every four days, it is killing more Australians,” they write.

“The fact is that women, and children, are being terrorised across our nation.”

The letter acknowledges that calls for a national royal commission are “well intentioned” but say that money would be better spent on accelerated action.

Crossbench MPs have written to Anthony Albanese to urge him to take action. Picture: Martin Ollman

It proposes immediate work to be undertaken including a coordinated mechanism to count deaths, as well as a sentencing review to create more accountability and consequences for perpetrators.

“Potential actions include mandatory sentencing, consequences for breaching AVOs, electronic monitoring, abolishing the admission of ‘good character’ references and a National Domestic Violence Register,” it states.

“Experts also support minimum police investigation standards and government funded independent legal representation.

“The Escaping Violence Program must be fully funded along with programs to enable women to stay in the family home, and the federal government must force the states to break the logjam on the recruitment of 500 frontline workers funded in last year’s budget.”

Zoe Daniel is among the 11 signatories who plan to meet with Mr Albanese to discuss the issue following Wednesday’s national cabinet meeting. Picture: Martin Ollman

It also says Melbourne expert Prof Kate Fitz-Gibbon’s family violence homicide prevention initiative, which would consolidate data to show where opportunities are being missed, could help build the evidence.

The MPs say exacerbating factors like violent online porn, misogynistic social media influencers, problem gambling, and the impact of financial pressure on families must also be assessed.

“Long-term cultural change must be our goal,” the letter states.

“Boys must be taught the difference between healthy masculinity and toxic masculinity.

“Women cannot protect themselves from murder by men. Only men can stop this.”