Thursday, 11 September 2025

 Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Government Services, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Women) (10:30): Last Saturday afternoon 100 people from my community came together at Watergardens shopping centre to do our second annual Walk With Us event, an event around preventing family violence. I notice those opposite constantly talk about crime figures but never mention, or have not mentioned at all this week, the issue of family violence or in fact the dangers that women in their own homes face at the hands of partner perpetrators.

A sea of orange hats and T-shirts, symbolising solidarity with victims, made their way along the beautiful Taylors Creek, sending a clear message that family violence and violence against women has no place in our community. Local residents walked alongside representatives from the Orange Door, Respect Victoria, the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association, Westjustice, WestCASA, commUnity+ Legal, Lions Club, Ambulance Victoria, Victoria Police and councillors from Brimbank and Melton. The walk was a powerful show of unity, and it reminded us that conversations we have at home, at work and in the community are what really matters – conversations that can shift attitudes, change behaviours and prevent violence before it starts. I want to thank all of those that were involved and thank Watergardens shopping centre and particularly the Brimbank–Melton Orange Door and the practitioners from there.