‘Are they still alive’: MP breaks down in powerful, personal speech on domestic violence

A senior federal MP has broken down delivering a powerful speech about a friend suffering in a violent relationship.

A senior LNP MP has broken down in tears while delivering a powerful speech, detailing the trauma of waiting to hear if a friend suffering in a violent relationship was still alive.

Opposition Home Affairs spokeswoman Karen Andrews pledged to “dedicate the rest of (her) time” in parliament to combating domestic violence, as she related a raw, personal experience with the scourge.

SEE HER SPEECH IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

It was part of a speech delivered on the floor of parliament as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Opposition Home Affairs spokeswoman Karen Andrews. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Ms Andrews, who is also the Opposition spokeswoman for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence, said one in four Australian women had experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, and noted it was likely that many people would know victims.

“Unfortunately, I‘m one of the people who has had to wait the text messages to come in and phone messages to come through, and the phone calls are much worse, wondering if someone that you love is still alive,” she said through tears.

“In the time that I have left in this place, however long it might be, I will dedicate myself to working to stop this violence.

“Those people who haven’t experienced it, you can have no idea what it’s like.

“For the people who sit innocently on the side and wait for that call wondering if someone they love is OK, it is traumatic.

“When you’re there at night and the phone rings and you are wondering what you are going to hear, it is a terribly traumatic experience.”

She said there were many more people who were on the front line or who had experienced domestic and family violence themselves.

“For those people I will dedicate my time left in this place to try to support you,” Ms Andrews said.

“There are a number of women who have lost their lives. And we all know some of the recent stories, particularly from Queensland.

“Hannah Clarke, Tara Brown, Kelly Wilkinson and there are many, many more, and this should not be allowed to be happening.

“A global shift in how society currently operates needs to take place to end violence against women, but also against children who are victims in their own right.

“We as a society do need to change our behaviour, our thoughts and our values where they allow any tolerance to this behaviour.”

She promised the Opposition would work with the Albanese Government to tackle the issue of domestic violence.

Originally published as ‘Are they still alive’: MP breaks down in powerful, personal speech on domestic violence