Thousands march in Perth to combat domestic violence as another WA woman dies
By Alex Condon
Thousands of West Australians have joined other cities around the country and marched in protest against domestic violence, gathering at Perth’s Forrest Place.
The rally comes after a man was charged with the murder of mother of four Erica Hay in Warnbro on Sunday.
Several politicians were in attendance, including WA Greens senator Dorinda Cox, but Premier Roger Cook said he was not able to attend – however, he reiterated the government’s Friday announcement of a $96.4 million support package to combat violence against women.
“I won’t be at the Perth March today. The Minister for Community Services, Sabine Winton, will be at the march and I thank her for representing the government at that important demonstrational rally,” he said.
“It also comes hot on the heels of our $100 million FDV package, which has now boosted our investment in family and domestic violence to $422 million since getting elected in 2017.”
Thousands rallied in Perth on Sunday.Credit: Lisa Ikin
He condemned the death of Hay, as the rally marked 26 women killed in Australia already in 2024.
“This is a horrible, tragic incident. It’s a very violent act and one which sees again, and very sadly ... a woman has lost their life,” Cook said.
“Our hearts go out to the family and the friends of the woman involved. There’s a child involved who today doesn’t have a mum. So this is a horrible, horrible blight on our community.”
WA Liberal leader and opposition spokeswoman for domestic and family violence Libby Mettam said “while the government has made a commitment to funding in this year’s budget, there is clearly more to do in this space”.
“Where is the coercive control legislation? Where is the additional funding for refuges?” she said.
“More vulnerable women and their children are being forced onto the streets, to live out of the boot of their cars or back into the agonising cycle of domestic abuse at the hands of their perpetrators, a situation exacerbated by the housing crisis.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended a rally in Canberra, also on Sunday, saying “I know that we must do better [on violence against women]” and that “it’s not just government’s problem, it’s a problem of our entire society”.
“We need to make sure that this isn’t just up to women. It’s up to men to change men’s behaviour as well.”