Scott Morrison condemns culture which drives violence against women

Scott Morrison says Australia has been too slow to shift a culture which condones gender inequality, and violence against women.

Prime Scott Morrison at a national summit on women's safety. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Scott Morrison says Australia has been too slow at shifting a culture which excuses gender inequality and drives violence against women, warning “sorry doesn’t cut it.”

The Prime Minister delivered the keynote speech on Monday morning for the National Women’s Safety Summit that will help shape Australia’s plan to reduce violence against women and children. The two-forum brings together domestic violence advocates, service providers and experts for a series of panels and speeches.

Speaking at the event, Mr Morrison said there had not been enough progress in dismantling a culture which condoned gender inequality and resulted in violence against women.

“Right not too many Australian women don’t feel safe and right now they are not safe and that is not OK. There is no excuse and sorry doesn’t cut it,” he said.

“They are not safe at home, they are not safe at work, in broad daylight you are not safe, in public space you are not safe.”

He said every Australian had a responsibility to fix the culture to prevent violence in the first place.

“We have to do better and strive to do better. I don’t believe we can talk about women’s safety without talking about men. About the way some men think they own women. About the way some women are subject to disrespect, coercion and violence,” he said.

Mr Morrison also noted that “even in this space where I speak to you” women were “not always safe,” alluding to former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins’ rape allegation which triggered a national reckoning about harassment and violence experienced by females.

“What started as a conversation about longstanding and serious failings in this very workplace, in this Parliament House, turned necessarily into a conversation about women’s experiences everywhere,” he said.

“It’s not a simple problem, it’s not a new problem, but Australia does have a problem.”

Mr Morrison also read out emails and letters he had received from women who had disclosed abuse they had experienced, noting he felt the rage and fatigue about the lack of change.

But on Twitter, sexual assault survivors and advocates Grace Tame and Saxon Mullins questioned whether Mr Morrison had received permission to share the disclosures.

The federal government’s next national plan is expected to be finalised before the end of the year.