Bipartisan Bill: Shorten Committed To Working With The Prime Minister On Domestic Violence

In the spirit of bipartisanship set out by Bill Shorten in his budget reply, Labor said it welcomes action by COAG to address the epidemic of domestic violence in Australia but has said more can and should be done.

Bill Shorten has said that he is committed to working with the Prime Minister, states and territories, services and those that have suffered domestic violence on this national priority.

Leaders from Australia’s State and territories are set to agree on a national scheme to help domestic violence victims. The Australian Federal Government has undertaken to provided an extra $4 million in funding for the 1800 RESPECT helpline for the victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Labor policy has also committed $70 million in intial funding to ensure women suffering domestic violence get the legal support they need and have somewhere safe to go. This included $8 million in perpetrator interaction mapping.

In March this year the leader of the opposition called on Tony Abbott the Prime Minister to host a national crisis summit on domestic violence.