Wednesday, 19 June 2024

 Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Jobs and Industry, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Minister for Women) (10:21): I am proud to share the success of Walk With Us – Supporting Women’s Safety, an event which happened recently in my electorate that I hosted with Watergardens shopping centre. Every woman should be able to live safely in their community without fear of violence. This issue is about ending men’s violence against women. This initiative provided a vital platform to highlight the importance of women’s safety and demonstrated our community’s commitment to protecting one another. About a hundred people walked across our local community, gathering at the shopping centre and walking in solidarity along Taylors Creek Trail to linear park, where they were warmly greeted by the Taylors Lakes Lions Club volunteers with bottles of water.

Upon making a return to the town square at Watergardens, participants were invited to sign a pledge for action on women’s safety. By signing or leaving a message, individuals committed to supporting and promoting the safety and wellbeing of women in our community. This pledge is now proudly displayed in the window of my electorate office. Throughout the event attendees received valuable information from organisations like WestCASA and Respect Victoria, and can I thank Gender Equity Victoria for their ongoing work in standing up for women in the west. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Vicki Ward; Trish Gardiner, the manager of Watergardens shopping centre; Cr Ranka Rasic, the mayor of Brimbank, who walked with us; and Rhonda Brown, acting superintendent.