Thursday, 30 November 2023

 Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Ambulance Services) (09:47): I rise today to mark the commencement of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence. As representatives of our communities we must champion the cause of justice, equality and the eradication of violence in all its forms, particularly violence that is rooted in gender-based discrimination. The Counting Dead Women Australia project devastatingly reports that as of 27 November 56 women have been killed by violence this year. Our collective responsibility for the elimination of gendered violence and to hold perpetrators to account extends into every corner of our society. In Victoria the Allan Labor government is staunch in its work on and commitment to ending family violence. This includes supporting organisations that are working to prevent family violence, as well as those providing support to victim-survivors. These organisations inspire us to be bigger, bolder and braver in all that we do every day. In my electorate of Macedon I want to thank the following services: the Centre for Non-Violence, central Victoria Centre Against Sexual Assault, Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, the Orange Door, our local police, Women’s Health Loddon Mallee and all of our healthcare workers. I also want to pay tribute to the incredible women of the Zonta Club of Kyneton for their ongoing commitment to breaking the silence around family violence in regional Victoria through their steadfast support for the campaign.