PM wants national domestic violence system
The Prime Minister has promised a new national regime to ensure domestic violence orders are enforceable across all States.
After meeting this morning with new Australian of the Year Rosie Batty, Mr Abbott said he would take a proposal to the States and Territories to create a national domestic violence order scheme enforceable around the country.
Mr Abbott has also created an advisory panel to tackle violence against women which includes Ms Batty and retiring Victorian Police Commissioner Ken Lay.
“We all know that so many families do flee from city to city, from state to state to avoid violence, and if they’re fleeing violence, the violence should not be allowed to follow them,” Mr Abbott said.
The Prime Minister said he hoped COAG would agree by the end of the year to the national scheme, and left open the possibility of a road safety-style campaign to raise awareness about taking action against domestic violence.
“If you are a repeat drink driver you really have the book thrown at you,” he said.
“But if you breach domestic violence orders often there are hardly any consequences and this is just wrong. Breaching a domestic violence order is a very serious matter and it really does have to be treated very seriously by the police, by the courts, by the system.”
The furore surrounding the knighthood largely eclipsed the powerful Australia Day message Ms Batty sent to the community about the need to tackle domestic violence.
Mr Abbott said this morning he stood by the knighthood decision but promised greater consultation with his colleagues around awards in the future.
“I accept it’s been a contentious decision. But Prince Philip has been a distinguished servant of this country,” Mr Abbott said.
The knighthood decision is being seen as a serious distraction for the Liberal National Party State Government in Queensland, which goes to the polls this weekend.
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman blasted the Prime Minister’s decision to grant the honour to the Duke of Edinburgh, saying it was a “bolt from the blue” and he disagreed with it.
Federal Cabinet Ministers have publicly distanced themselves from the decision and backbenchers are warning Mr Abbott could face a leadership challenge if he does not steady the ship.
