Indigenous Australians absent from launch of government plan to end violence against women

A launch panel for the government’s national plan to stamp out violence against women had a noticeable lack of diversity – despite highlighting the shocking rates of abuse in Indigenous communities. 

Federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth unveiled the plan in Melbourne on Monday alongside Minister for Women Katy Gallagher and several female state and federal MPs.

The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, approved by all state and territory cabinets, describes the ‘epidemic proportions’ of domestic, family and sexual violence in Australia and outlines the disproportionately high rates among First Nations people. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 34 times more likely to be sent to hospital from domestic violence than non-Indigenous women.

They are also three times as likely to suffer sexual violence, and are more likely to be the victim of a deadly assault.

But the panel announcing the plan to bring rates down did not contain a single First Nations representative despite a number serving at both state and federal levels.

Federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth unveiled the plan in Melbourne on Monday alongside Minister for Women Katy Gallagher and several female state and federal MPs 

Ms Rishworth was forced to address the absence, telling reporters ‘we have been very clear about how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are embedded in this plan’.

‘There is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory group developing the action plan that will be dedicated and ensures the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are heard,’ she said. 

She added that a second plan is being developed which specifically focuses on First Nations communities but could not give a timeframe as to when that would be released. 

Ms Rishworth awkwardly had to explain the plan’s focus on Indigenous communities despite them not being represented in the panel (pictured) 

She said the ‘unique perspective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children’ would be ‘represented across the board’ by the new report. 

‘We want to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to develop that plan,’ she said. 

The plan unveiled on Monday draws attention to the worrying statistic that a woman is killed on average every ten days in Australia by a current partner or ex. 

The report outlines a number of areas of prevention, response and recovery including promoting gender equality, improving attitudes, early intervention, increasing access to support, tailoring support, and coordination across systems. 

There will be two five-year action plans that will include specific commitments and investments from governments as well as the stand-alone First Nations National Plan.

Ms Rishworth said there needed to be a change in conversations surrounding domestic and family violence.

‘How often do you hear, for example, people say ‘why didn’t she leave?’ I mean, the more important question is, ‘why does he choose to use violence against her?” she said.

The national plan will also focus on how gender inequality drives violence against women (pictured: International Women’s March in Sydney, 2020)

‘We do need to promote more respectful relationships. We do need to actually increase gender equality. All of these things play a role in actually addressing violence against women and children.’

The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomed the plan and called for all levels of government to commit the necessary funds.

‘It’s encouraging all Australian governments have backed the plan and its ambitious target to end gender-based violence within a generation,’ National Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins said.

‘For this to succeed, all governments will need to make significant investments in prevention and recovery strategies.’

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