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NSW has long trailed Victoria on tackling domestic violence. Can we finally catch up?
NSW Premier Chris Minns outlined precisely why NSW should follow the lead of Victoria and South Australia and hold a royal commission into the worsening rates of violence against women.
His explanation was sound and compelling. A royal commission – with its sweeping powers to probe, uncover and make powerful recommendations – was “attractive to the government”, Minns said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns announces the funding package on Monday.Credit: AAP
Minns pointed to Victoria, which held a royal commission into domestic and family violence in 2015 after Rosie Batty’s son Luke was killed by his father.
“Ten years after their royal commission into domestic and family violence, they’ve rolled out a series of programs, they have kept funding high, they’ve ensured that it’s ongoing,” Minns said.
And the result in Victoria? “They are seeing domestic violence in the community decline, whereas we have gone the other way over the same period of time,” Minns said.
Victoria learnt plenty from its royal commission and NSW would, too.
Except, in the next breath, Minns ruled out following the lead of Victoria, as well as South Australia which is about to start its royal commission into domestic violence. NSW does not have the time nor the money for a lengthy and costly inquiry. Instead, the work must start now, he said.
Minns is correct. The sector is crying out for immediate funding to ensure it does not have to turn women and children away from refuges when they are fleeing a dangerous home.
According to peak body Domestic Violence NSW, the state needs 750 transitional homes right now, so that those women who do find a bed in a shelter have somewhere to go next. And we need long-term housing, so those women and their kids can eventually settle down in a home of their own.
Curiously, housing was not included in the NSW government’s $230 million package unveiled on Monday. That will come later, Minns and his Housing Minister Rose Jackson have promised.
For now, the focus is on primary prevention and programs such as Staying Home, Leaving Violence which is designed to keep women in their homes but protected from their violent partners. There are other important initiatives, including more children’s support workers in refuges.
Prevention will be a game changer. In Victoria, men’s behaviour change programs have had a huge impact. In NSW, we are not so lucky. Relationships Australia has 245 men on its waiting list to do the program but not enough funding to put them through the course. Another example of Victoria leading the way.
The emergency funding package, a response to the horrifying alleged murder of Molly Ticehurst, is a good start. But, as Minns rightly acknowledged, it is only a first step and much more funding must flow into the sector. However, with any rapid injection of funding comes risk and the government needs to be absolutely confident that all taxpayers’ money is spent in the most effective way.
That is where a royal commission would be invaluable. Not to replace or delay the urgent action that is needed now to keep women safe, but to ensure transparency and accountability.
It would also fill the gaps that have emerged in the decade since Victoria’s inquiry. The digital world, and the ready access to violent pornography and video games, is very different in 2024 than it was in 2015. We can learn from Victoria, but we also need to understand emerging challenges.
NSW has chosen not to go down the royal commission path. That’s its prerogative, presumably convinced it can find all the answers to the questions. Now NSW must stick to its word and significantly build on Monday’s funding package so the state can finally play catch-up and keep women safe.
If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
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