PM condemns domestic violence on White Ribbon Day

Social Services Minister Christian Porter described the findings, which will be used to develop a $30 million national campaign due to begin early in 2016, as “eye-opening”.

The former crown prosecutor said they revealed a “passive-dismissive” attitude towards violence.

Earlier, Labor used a White Ribbon Day event to announce that in government it would include five days paid domestic violence leave in the National Employment Standards.

“Women affected by family violence should be able to take leave to access legal and financial advice, counselling services and medical appointments,” Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said.

“You have to be very careful here that you are not putting at disadvantage the very people you are seeking to help,” she told Sky News.

“You potentially can do that if you are going to make it more difficult for employers to employ women in circumstances where they’ve got very difficult arrangements.”

But Liberal MP David Coleman said the idea should not be ruled out.

“I think it’s something that should be considered,” he said.

Crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie criticised the federal government’s approach to tackling domestic violence, condemning funding cuts to mental health and drug and alcohol services.

“The government is sucking the guts out of those areas … there is no common sense to the way they are fighting domestic violence,” she told reporters.

AAP.

If this article has raised issues for you or anyone you know, there’s help available:

National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT.

In an emergency call 000.