GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
The Australian
policy context
A guide to Commonwealth, state and territory government frameworks and policies to reduce violence against women and their children.
The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022 is a national framework developed by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments and the community to see a significant and sustained reduction in violence against women and their children, so Australian women and their children can live free from violence in safe communities.
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 3456 | (02) 6230 0411 |
| Minister for Social Services | The Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP Minister for Social Services from Tuesday 31 May 2022 | Visit website | (02) 6277 2293 | (08) 8186 2588 |
| All Commonwealth Government ministers | Visit website |
| Strategy to end violence against women and their children | Visit website | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 is that Australian women and their children live free from violence in safe communities. Over 12 years the National Plan aims to achieve a significant and sustained reduction in violence against women and their children. | Visit website | |
| Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 | The Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022 sets out an ambitious but practical agenda to achieve change and reduce domestic, family and sexual violence against women and their children across five priority areas. | Visit website | |
| Implementation plan to support the delivery of the Fourth Action Plan | This implementation plan for the Fourth Action Plan outlines the initiatives that Commonwealth, state and territory governments will deliver, and provides information on their funding, milestones, intended outcomes and connection to Fourth Action Plan actions and priority areas. Together, these initiatives represent the range of responses needed to address domestic, family and sexual violence. | 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 Education and Early Childhood Development Minister for Housing and Suburban Development Minister for Sport and Recreation Minister for Women from January 2015 Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence from October 2016 | Visit website | (02) 6277 7560 | (02) 9465 3950 |
| 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's Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence | The Hon. Natalie Peta WARD, MLC Minister for Metropolitan Roads Minister for Women's Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Member of the Liberal Party Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence from Tuesday 21 December 2021 | Visit website | (02) 8574 5750 | N/A |
| Minister for Women | The Hon Bronwyn Taylor, MLC Minister for Women, Minister for Regional Health Minister for Mental Health Minister for Women from Tuesday 2 April 2019 | Visit website | (02) 8574 5850 | N/A |
| All NSW Government ministers | Visit website |
| Strategy to end violence against women and their children | Visit website | |
|---|---|---|
| NSW Domestic and Family Violence Prevention and Early Intervention Strategy 2017-2021 | The Strategy sets out a direction for the way NSW Government agencies, non-government organisations and communities design and implement prevention and early intervention strategies over the next four years. | Visit website |
| NSW Domestic and Family Violence Blueprint for Reform 2016–2021: Safer Lives for Women, Men and Children | The Blueprint sets out the directions and actions to reform the domestic violence system in New South Wales over the next five years, including the framework for building an effective system that addresses the causes and responds to the symptoms of DFV. | Visit website |
| NSW Sexual Assault Strategy 2018–2021 | The NSW Sexual Assault Strategy 2018–2021 is a comprehensive framework to improve prevention and response to sexual assault. The Strategy delivers a three-year, whole-of-government approach to sexual assault in New South Wales for the first time. | 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 Territory Families | The Hon Kate Worden Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing; Minister for Disabilities; Minister for Sport; Minister for Multicultural Affairs | Visit website | (08) 8936 5553 | (08) 8999 6781 |
| Minister for Women | The Hon Lauren Moss Minister for Education; Minister for Children; Minister for Youth; Minister for Seniors; Minister for Women; | Visit website | (08) 8936 5532 | (08) 8999 6343 |
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Framework for Northern Territory Women 2015–2020 | The Policy Framework for Northern Territory Women 2015–2020 sets the NT Government’s policy direction and priorities for women. | 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 and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence | The Hon Shannon Fentiman Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence from 12 Nov 2020 | Visit website | (07) 3719 7400 | (07) 3445 3100 |
| All Queensland Government ministers | Visit website | |||
| End Domestic and Family Violence | 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 the Status of Women | The Hon Michelle Lensink MLC Minister for Human Services Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion Minister for Social Housing Minister for Youth Minister for Volunteers Minister for Disabilities Minister for Women from March 2018 | Visit website | |||
| Assistant Minister for Domestic and Family Violence Prevention | Carolyn Power MP | Visit website | |||
| 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. | Visit website |
Tasmania
| Contact | Website | Parliament phone number | Electorate phone number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minister for Women | The Hon Sarah Courtney MP Minister for Women Minister for Health | (03) 6165 7794 | 03) 6777 1013 | |
| All Tasmanian Government Ministers | Visit website | |||
| Women in Tasmania | Visit website |
| Strategy to end violence against women and their children | Visit website | |
|---|---|---|
| Safe Homes, Families, Communities: Tasmania's action plan for family and sexual violence 2019–2022 | "Safe Homes, Families, Communities: Tasmania's action plan for family and sexual violence 2019–2022" is the Tasmanian Government’s coordinated, whole-of-government action plan to respond to family violence. Safe Homes, Families, Communities represents the next stage of the government’s long-term commitment to preventing and responding to family violence, and the new response to sexual violence. Safe Homes, Families, Communities invests $26 million over three years for 40 actions to prevent and respond to family and sexual violence in Tasmania under three priority areas: primary prevention and early intervention, response and recovery, and strengthening the service system. | Visit website |
Victoria
| Contact | Website | Parliament phone number | Electorate phone number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minister for Women, Minister for Education | The Hon. Natalie Hutchins Minister for Women Minister for Education | Visit website | (03) 7022 5600 | (03) 9449 1511 |
| Minister for Child Protection and Family Services, Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers | The Hon. Colin Brooks Minister for Child Protection and Family Services Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers | Visit website | N/A | (03) 9467 5657 |
| 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 |
| The Rolling Action Plan (RAP) 2017–2020 | The "Rolling Action Plan (RAP) 2017–2020" is the next step towards implementing all 227 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence 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 |
| Primary prevention activity and infrastructure in Victoria | A snapshot of primary prevention activity and infrastructure in Victoria: through "Free from Violence: Victoria’s strategy to prevent family violence and all forms of violence against women" the Victorian Government has made a commitment to build primary prevention across the state in order to ensure that all communities are safe, respectful and empowered. As part of this commitment, the Department of Health and Human Services commissioned Ernst & Young to undertake a high-level mapping of primary prevention activity and infrastructure across Victoria. | Visit website |
Western Australia
| Contact | Website | Parliament phone number | Electorate phone number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minister for Child Protection; Women's Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services | The Hon Simone McGurk MLA Minister for Child Protection; Women's Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services from 17.03.17 | Visit website | (08) 6552 6600 | (08) 9336 7000 |
| All WA Government ministers | Visit website |
| Strategy to end violence against women and their children | Visit website | |
|---|---|---|
| Western Australia's Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Strategy to 2022 | "Western Australia's Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Strategy to 2022" is Western Australia’s framework for responding to family and domestic violence. It provides a long-term focus to 2022 and aligns state priorities with the focus areas of the National Plan. The outcomes are prevention and early intervention, safety for victims and accountability for perpetrators. | Visit website |
| Freedom from Fear Action Plan 2015: Working towards the elimination of family and domestic violence in Western Australia | The "Freedom from Fear Action Plan 2015: Working towards the elimination of family and domestic violence in Western Australia" (the Action Plan) has been developed in consultation with government and community sector stakeholders. The Action Plan focuses on engaging and responding to perpetrators of family and domestic violence and sets out 20 actions under five priority areas. | 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 is funded 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 |