The Tasmanian Government is determined to take action to reduce the appalling incidence of family violence.
There must be a cultural change in attitudes towards family violence.
Every perpetrator of family violence must understand it is unacceptable to be violent towards women and children and every woman must be secure in the knowledge they and their children have a right to be safe.
Across Government each year we contribute $16 million in direct and $24 million in indirect funding to address family violence and this week’s Budget will see some additional funds.
But despite these resources, money alone is not enough.
It is for this reason I will take a leadership role in addressing this social ill. As Premier I will take responsibility for a whole of government response, and to help drive change.
It is estimated that one in three women have experienced some form of family violence in their lifetime and the majority of domestic violence cases include children as victims as well.
Tasmania has already committed to being the lead jurisdiction to draft model legislation by the end of 2015 to underpin a National Domestic Violence Order Scheme.
Tasmania is also part of a new national campaign to raise awareness and change negative attitudes. Tasmanian Police Commissioner Darren Hine has been appointed to the panel to advise the Council of Australian Governments.
I announce today that the Tasmanian Government will join the national OurWatch initiative, a campaign which partners with sporting codes and peak bodies to identify ways to prevent violence against women and children.
My Department will prepare a comprehensive action plan to target family violence over the short, medium and longer term. This plan will be released in August.
We will work directly with service providers and those affected by domestic violence to change behaviours and attitudes in our community, improve services for those who are affected and strengthen the legal framework to deal with perpetrators.
Family violence is an incredibly serious problem, and very much a top order priority for my Government.