GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
The Australian
policy context
A guide to Commonwealth, state and territory government frameworks and policies to end violence against women and children.
The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 is an overarching national framework developed by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments and the community to guide actions towards ending violence against women and children. It highlights how all parts of society must work together to achieve a shared vision of ending gender-based violence in one generation.
Alongside the National Plan, the Commonwealth, state and territory governments have additional frameworks and policies to reduce violence against women and their children within their jurisdictions.
These, along with information about the minister with portfolio responsibility for women and the prevention of violence and sexual assault, can be found below. See also current inquiries and submissions relevant to domestic and family violence and women’s safety.
Commonwealth
| Contact | Website | Parliament Phone number | Electorate Phone number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minister for Women | Senator the Hon. Katy Gallagher Minister for Finance Minister for the Public Service Minister for Women from Tuesday 31 May 2022 | Visit website | (02) 6277 7400 | (02) 6230 0411 |
| Minister for Social Services | The Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP Minister for Social Services from Wednesday 1 June 2022 | Visit website | (02) 6277 7560 | (08) 8186 2588 |
| All Commonwealth Government ministers | Visit website |
| Strategy to end violence against women and their children | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 | The National Plan commits to 10 years of sustained action, effort and partnership across sectors and levels of government towards our vision of ending violence against women and children in one generation. It outlines what needs to happen to achieve our vision. This includes building the workforce, growing the evidence base and strengthening data collection systems, while delivering holistic, coordinated and integrated person-centred responses. To achieve this, we must listen to and be guided by victim-survivors and people with lived experience. | Visit website | |
| The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022 | A 12-year plan developed by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments along with the community to outline and connect the important work being done to reduce violence against women and their children. Its vision was that Australian women and their children live free from violence in safe communities. Over 12 years the National Plan aimed to achieve a significant and sustained reduction in violence against women and their children. | Visit website | |
| First Action Plan 2023-2027 | The First Action Plan sets out the initial scope of activities, areas for action, and responsibility for outcomes under the new National Plan (2022-2032). It is underpinned by the First Action Plan Activities Addendum, which will be updated annually to track implementation, new activities, and investments committed to by the Australian, state, and territory governments under the National Plan 2023-2032. | Visit website | |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023-2025 | The dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan will work alongside the First Action Plan 2023-2027. It is intended to provide targeted action to address violence experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. The development of this action plan was led by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council on family, domestic, and sexual violence, and involved community engagement and consultation. | Visit website | |
| Outcomes Framework 2023-2032 | The Outcomes Framework 2023-2032 links action under the National Plan 2023-2032 to intended outcomes. It supports tracking, monitoring, and reporting. | Visit website | |
| Theory of Change 2022-2032 | The Theory of Change 2022-2032 provides an outline of how and why change is expected to occur under the National Plan 2023-2032. | Visit website | |
| "Stop it at the Start" campaign | Stop it at the Start aims to help break the cycle of violence by encouraging adults to reflect on their attitudes and have conversations about respect with young people. The campaign is aimed at parents and family members of children aged 10 to 17, as well as the teachers, coaches, community leaders and employers of young people. | Visit website | |
Australian Capital Territory
| Contact | Website | Parliament phone number | Electorate phone number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minister for Women & Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence | The Hon. Yvette Berry MLA Deputy Chief Minister Minister for Early Childhood Development Minister for Education and Youth Affairs Minister for Housing and Suburban Development Minister for Women from January 2015 Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence from October 2016 Minister for Sport and Recreation | Visit website | (02) 6205 0233 | N/A |
| All ACT Government ministers | Visit website | |||
| The ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Women | Visit website |
| Strategy to end violence against women and their children | Visit website | |
|---|---|---|
| ACT Women's Plan 2016–26 | The ACT Government is committed to removing barriers to enable women and girls to reach their potential, contribute to innovation and ideas and take up leadership positions. The ACT Women’s Plan 2016–26 articulates the ACT Government’s plan to achieving this commitment. | Visit website |
New South Wales
| Contact | Website | Parliament phone number | Electorate phone number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault | The Hon. Jodie Elizabeth Harrison, MP Minister for Seniors Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault from 5 April 2023 Minister for Women from 5 April 2023 | Visit website | (02) 7225 6200 | (02) 4942 1242 |
| All NSW Government ministers | Visit website |
| Strategy to end violence against women and their children | Visit website | |
|---|---|---|
| The NSW Sexual Violence Plan 2022-2027 | The NSW Sexual Violence Plan 2022-2027 sets an agenda for preventing and responding to sexual violence and is intended to guide the work of the NSW Government, specialist organisations and workers, the broader workforce, community organisations, and all community members. | Visit website |
| The NSW Domestic and Family Violence Plan 2022-2027 | The NSW Domestic and Family Violence Plan 2022-2027 provides strategic direction and outlines focus areas for action on domestic and family violence across prevention, early intervention, response, and recovery and healing. | Visit website |
| Domestic Violence Death Review Team | The Domestic Violence Death Review Team (DVDRT) was established in 2010 under the Coroners Act 2009 (NSW) to review deaths occurring in the context of domestic violence in New South Wales. The review has both a qualitative (individual case) and quantitative review function. The DVDRT aims to develop and promote domestic violence intervention and prevention strategies so as to reduce the likelihood of deaths occurring in similar circumstances in the future, and to improve the response to domestic violence more generally. | Visit website |
Northern Territory
| Contact | Website | Parliament phone number | Electorate phone number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minister for Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence | The Hon Kate Worden Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Minister for Renewables and Energy Minister for Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Minister for Essential Services Minister for Sport | Visit website | (08) 8936 5553 | (08) 8999 6781 |
| All NT Government ministers | Visit website | |||
| The Office of Gender Equity and Diversity | Visit website |
| Strategy to end violence against women and their children | Visit website | |
|---|---|---|
| The Northern Territory Gender Equality Action Plan 2022-2025 | The Northern Territory Gender Equality Action Plan 2022-2025 is the first of its kind in the NT and lays the foundations for improving gender equality in the NT through five key focus areas for action. | Visit website |
| Northern Territory’s Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Reduction Framework 2018–2028: Safe, Respected and Free from Violence | The Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Reduction Framework 2018–2028 represents the NT Government’s 10-year strategy to reduce domestic, family and sexual violence. It builds on the achievements of the NT Government’s previous domestic and family violence strategy ("Safety is Everyone’s Right). This new framework – Safe, Respected and Free from Violence – reflects the NT Government's combined efforts, knowledge and ideas to reduce violence and work together to achieve safer homes, communities, workplaces and schools. | Visit website |
Queensland
| Contact | Website | Parliament phone number | Electorate phone number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minister for Women | The Hon Shannon Fentiman Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services Minister for Women | Visit website | N/A | (07) 3445 3100 |
| Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence | The Hon Yvette D’Ath Attorney-General Minister for Justice Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence | Visit website | (07) 3719 7400 | (07) 3448 7100 |
| All Queensland Government ministers | Visit website |
| Strategy to end violence against women and their children | Visit website | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy 2016–2026 | The Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy 2016–2026 is a vehicle to drive change across all sectors of the Queensland community. It sets the direction for collaborative action to end domestic and family violence in Queensland, encouraging partnerships between the government, community and business. The Strategy outlines a shared vision and a set of principles to guide action across government and the community, including a staged 10-year plan on how we will get there. | Visit website |
| Not Now, Not Ever: Putting an end to domestic and family violence in Queensland | In 2014, the Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland, chaired by the Honourable Quentin Bryce AD CVO, former Governor-General of Australia, was established. The Taskforce was requested to examine Queensland’s domestic and family violence support systems and make recommendations to the premier on how the system could be improved and future incidents of domestic violence could be prevented. The Special Taskforce provided its final report "Not Now, Not Ever: Putting an end to domestic and family violence in Queensland" to the premier on 28 February 2015, bringing its work to a close. | Visit website |
| The Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board | The Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board is responsible for the systemic review of domestic and family violence deaths in Queensland. The establishment of the board was a key recommendation from the Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence's final report, "Not Now, Not Ever: Ending domestic and family violence in Queensland" (Queensland Government). | Visit website |
South Australia
| Contact | Website | Parliament phone number | Electorate phone number | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence | Katrine Hildyard MP Minister for Child Protection Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing | Visit website | (08) 8303 2926 | N/A | |
| All SA Government ministers | Visit website | ||||
| Office for Women | Visit website |
| Strategy to end violence against women and their children | Visit website | |
|---|---|---|
| South Australia's Women's Safety Strategy 2011–2022 | "A Right to Safety" outlines the reforms we will drive in South Australia as part of our commitment to the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children (The National Plan). Following endorsement from the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), the National Plan brings together government and community efforts across Australia to make a real and sustained reduction in the levels of violence against women. A new strategy is currently in development. | Visit website |
Tasmania
| Contact | Website | Parliament phone number | Electorate phone number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minister for Women | The Hon Jo Palmer MLC Minister for Primary Industries and Water Minister for Community Services and Development Minister for Disability Services Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence | Visit website | (03) 6212 2346 | (03) 6324 2002 |
| Legislative Council | Visit website | |||
| House of Assembly | Visit website | |||
| Women in Tasmania | Visit website |
| Strategy to end violence against women and their children | Visit website | |
|---|---|---|
| Survivors at the Centre: Tasmania’s Third Family and Sexual Violence Action Plan 2022-2027 | Survivors at the Centre is the Tasmanian Government’s, coordinated, whole-of-government action plan to respond to family and sexual violence. Survivors at the Centre commits $100 million over five years for 38 actions to prevent and respond to family and sexual violence in Tasmania. These include innovative new actions, and enhanced actions from the previous Action Plan. Actions are guided by four key principles - partnership and transformation, capacity building, prevention and early intervention, and voice and diversity. | Visit website |
Victoria
| Contact | Website | Parliament phone number | Electorate phone number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minister for Women | The Hon. Natalie Hutchins Minister for Jobs and Industry Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Minister for Women | Visit website | (03) 7022 5600 | (03) 9449 1511 |
| Minister for Prevention of Family Violence | The Hon Vicki Ward MP Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Minister for Employment | Visit website | N/A | (03) 9439 1500 |
| All Victorian Government ministers | Visit website | |||
| Women Victoria | Visit website |
| Strategy to end violence against women and their children | Visit website | |
|---|---|---|
| Free from violence: Victoria's prevention strategy | The focus of this strategy is on preventing two overlapping and related forms of violence; family violence and violence against women. The scope of this strategy is primary prevention – preventing violence before it starts by focusing on settings where inequality and violent behaviour are shaped. | Visit website |
| Ending Family Violence: Victoria’s Plan for Change | "Ending Family Violence: Victoria’s Plan for Change" outlines how the Victorian Government will deliver the Royal Commission into Family Violence recommendations, ensure victim and survivor safety and build a future where Victorians live free from family violence. | Visit website |
| Family Violence Reform Rolling Action Plan 2020-2023 | The Family Violence Reform Rolling Action Plan 2020-2023 is a guide for the next three years of reform that will contribute to achieving a vision for a future where Victorians live free from family violence, outlined in "Ending Family Violence: Victoria’s Plan for Change". | Visit website |
| Victorian Systemic Review of Family Violence Deaths | The Victorian Systemic Review of Family Violence Deaths (VSRFVD) was established in 2009. It was introduced to assist Victorian coroners investigating family violence-related deaths involving children and adults. The aims of the VSRFVD are:
The VSRFVD is led by the state coroner of Victoria. | Visit website |
| Safe and Strong, Victoria’s Gender Equality Strategy | "Safe and Strong, Victoria’s Gender Equality Strategy" sets out a framework for enduring and sustained action over time. We aim to progressively build the attitudinal and behavioural change required to reduce violence against women and deliver gender equality. The Strategy draws on global evidence of what works in gender equality. | Visit website |
Western Australia
| Contact | Website | Parliament phone number | Electorate phone number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minister for Women’s Interests | The Hon Sue Ellery BA MLC Minister for Finance Minister for Commerce Minister for Women’s Interests | Visit website | (08) 6552 5700 | N/A |
| Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence | The Hon Sabine Winton BA BPS MLA Minister for Early Childhood Education Minister for Child Protection Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister for Community Services | Visit website | (08) 6552 6100 | (08) 9405 1244 |
| All WA Government ministers | Visit website |
| Strategy to end violence against women and their children | Visit website | |
|---|---|---|
| Path to Safety: Western Australia’s Strategy to Reduce Family and Domestic Violence 2020-2030 | Path to Safety: Western Australia’s Strategy to Reduce Family and Domestic Violence 2020-2030 outlines a whole-of-government and community plan to reduce and respond to family and domestic violence over the next decade in Western Australia. The Strategy will be supported by three Action Plans. | Visit website |
| Aboriginal Family Safety Strategy 2022-2032 | The Aboriginal Family Safety Strategy 2022-2032 is WA’s first dedicated strategy to address the disproportionate rates of family violence that impact Aboriginal women, children, families and communities. The Strategy, as part of the State Government’s response to Outcome 13 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap – that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and households are safe. It is also a priority action of Path to Safety: Western Australia’s (WA) strategy to reduce family and domestic violence 2020–2030. | Visit website |
| Family and Domestic Violence System Reform Plan 2024-2029 | The Family and Domestic Violence System Reform Plan 2024-2029 sets the vision for strengthening responses to family and domestic violence in Western Australia. The System Reform Plan envisages a service system response that is collaborative, connected and organised around victim-survivor safety, recovery, and re-establishment. It builds on the strengths and resources of existing services and responses to respond to family and domestic violence more effectively in the Western Australian community. | Visit website |
| Stronger Together - WA's Plan for Gender Equality 2020-2030 | Stronger Together: WA’s Plan for Gender Equality is WA’s first plan to support a gender equal community. It provides a framework for coordinated action by Government, business, organisations and individuals with practical steps to advance gender equality over the next 10 years. Stronger Together is being delivered through four Action Plans across 10 years 2020–2030 and will respond to current and emerging priorities in Western Australia. | Visit website |
| Family and Domestic Violence Fatality Review | On 1 July 2012, the ombudsman commenced a new role to review family and domestic violence (FDV) fatalities. A FDV fatality is a death that is caused directly or indirectly by a person who was in a family or domestic relationship with the deceased. The ombudsman has a number of functions in relation to the review of FDV fatalities: reviewing the circumstances in which FDV deaths occur, and why; identifying patterns and trends that arise from reviews of FDV deaths; and making recommendations to public authorities about ways to prevent or reduce FDV deaths. | Visit website |
National
| National Plan partners | Website | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANROWS was established under the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022, along with the below organisations and programs | ||||
| 1800RESPECT | 1800RESPECT is Australia’s first national and professional telephone and online counselling service established by the Commonwealth Government under the National Plan. | Visit website | ||
| DV-alert | DV-alert is the only nationally accredited and nationally delivered free training program designed to help health and allied health workers better understand and identify domestic and family violence and improve their referral and support skills. | Visit website | ||
| Our Watch | Our Watch is an independent, non-profit organisation established to raise awareness and engage the community in action to prevent violence against women and their children. | Visit website | ||
| The Line | The Line is Australia’s long-term, evidence-based social marketing campaign that encourages healthy, equal and respectful relationships by challenging and changing attitudes and behaviours that support violence against women. | Visit website | ||
| National women's alliances | Website | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Australia there are six National Women’s Alliances (the Alliances) who represent over 180 women’s organisations. They bring forward the views, voices and issues of Australian women and, in particular, women from marginalised and disadvantaged groups. The Alliances take the lead in ensuring that the voices of as many women as possible are heard, especially those who in the past have found it difficult to engage in advocacy and decision-making. | ||||
| The Harmony Alliance | The Harmony Alliance provides advocacy and support for migrant and refugee women. | Visit website | ||
| The Australian Women Against Violence Alliance (AWAVA) | AWAVA's focus is on addressing all forms of violence against women, to "ensure that all women and children are able to live free from all forms of violence and abuse". | Visit website | ||
| Equality Rights Alliance | Equality Rights Alliance is Australia’s largest network advocating for women’s equality, women’s leadership and recognition of women’s diversity. | Visit website | ||
| The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Alliance (NATSIWA) | The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Alliance (NATSIWA) empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to have a strong and effective voice in the domestic and international policy advocacy process. | Visit website | ||
| The National Rural Women's Coalition | The National Rural Women's Coalition provides a collaborative voice for women living in rural, remote and regional Australia. | Visit website | ||
| Economic Security4Women (eS4W) | eS4W is a national women’s alliance united in the belief that economic wellbeing and financial security are essential for women and will enable women of all ages to have an equal place in society. | Visit website | ||
| The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Network | Website |
|---|---|
| The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Network was established in 2011 as an initiative of state and territory death review processes, and is endorsed by all state and territory coroners and the Western Australian ombudsman. | Visit website |