2020-05-01
The Greens are calling for an urgent crisis response to the number of women killed by violence following the murder of Brisbane-based mother Jacqueline Sturgess.
Media reports state her estranged partner has been charged with the domestic violence murder.
“After the shocking murder of Hannah Clarke and her children, the Prime Minister said more needed to be done.
“Yet there have now been 13 women killed by violence in 2020, after 61 were murdered last year, and we still don’t have the government response needed to keep women safe,” said Greens Senate Leader and spokesperson for women, Senator Larissa Waters.
“Evidence of significantly higher demands on frontline services, the Family Court and support lines has confirmed fears these risks have increased and current levels of government support are inadequate during the Covid-19 crisis .
“The Greens have called for additional government funding for frontline services, the family court system, prevention programs and referral services. The Government’s initial funding allocation was welcome, but the money is yet to reach services and falls far short of what is needed to address this national crisis.
“We have also long pushed for establishing a national toll of women killed, like the road toll, to keep this issue in the public eye and contribute to cultural change.
“We will never forget Jacqueline Sturgess, Hannah Clarke and her children, nor all the other women and children killed by violence,” Senator Waters said.
The Australian Greens are calling on the Federal government to:
- Urgently increase funding for frontline domestic and family violence services to respond to increased and changing demands;
- Increase funding for Safe at Home and safe technology programs;
- Further increases in crisis accommodation and public housing; and
- Better co-ordinate policing and justice responses, including extra specialist support for Family Court matters and DVO / AVO matters.