Greens MLA Kat McNamara shares personal story of domestic violence amid call for action

A Northern Territory politician shared her personal experience of domestic violence as she joined a call for bipartisan action against ‘our national shame’ that has killed eight Territorians in less than six months.

Independent MLA Justine Davis, Gwoja MLA Chansey Paech, Opposition Leader Selena Uibo, Greens MLA Kat McNamara, Deputy Opposition Leader Dheran Young, and Arafura MLA Manuel Brown. A coalition of opposition and crossbench NT politicians are calling for a bipartisan approach to tackle domestic violence. Picture: Fia Walsh.

A Northern Territory politician has shared her personal experience of domestic violence as she joined a call for bipartisan action against “our national shame” that has killed eight Territorians in less than six months.

Greens member for Nightcliff Kat McNamara joined Territory Labor and the crossbench on Tuesday urging the government to lead a delegation of politicians, DV survivors, experts and frontline workers to Canberra to advocate for needs-based funding from the federal government.

“I am a survivor of men’s violence,” Ms McNamara said.

“I’ve grown up in a space where the safety of women and girls was always put on the back burner, that you learned that’s your place in the world, that men around you could be dangerous.

‘I’m a survivor of men’s violence’: Nightcliff MLA Kat McNamara. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“There was a sense of normalised violence and sexual violence towards women and girls.

“It’s taken me many, many years – over a decade – to speak out publicly, but I believe – especially now in the role that I have – it’s my responsibility to do so.

“Victims and survivors come from all walks of life, and I want to use this platform to give them strength so they know that someone in this position is listening to them and wants to do everything in my power possible to make sure we stop what is happening to women and children at the hands of violent men.

“This is above politics.”

It comes as the NT coroner on Monday made 35 urgent recommendations to address domestic violence in the Territory.

Territory Labor and the crossbench called on the CLP to accept the recommendations in full and begin immediately rolling out $180m budgeted for frontline services.

Opposition Leader Selena Uibo said they stood ready to support the government’s efforts.

“If the CLP are serious about reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, they need to get serious about combating domestic, family and sexual violence and they need to act now.”

Ms Uibo put the challenge to the Chief Minister during Question Time.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro at National Cabinet in September. Picture: NewsWire / David Beach

Lia Finocchiaro said she was willing to do “whatever it takes” to combat domestic violence, and had already begun lobbying National Cabinet for needs based funding.

“The percentage we’re being allocated just isn’t going to cut it. In fact, it will barely touch the sides,” she said.

“We’re very committed to working with the opposition, and in fact, any members of the parliament who are looking to try and imprint upon the Commonwealth just how important their role is in the Territory.

“So yes, Opposition Leader, I’ve got no problem with anything that you’ve proposed. We’re very happy to do that.

“If you haven’t been able to yield an outcome after eight years with your own Labor mates in the top job in Canberra, I can only imagine our efforts will be in vain, but we’re willing to try everything.”