Tuesday, 11 August 2026

 Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence) (14:20): Family violence is the number one law and order issue facing Victoria. In Victoria there are 281 family violence incidents every day. That is one every 5 minutes. But these shocking numbers do not tell the full story, because behind every statistic is a person, and every single one of them deserves to be heard, believed, supported and protected. That is why the Carroll Labor government is delivering further reforms to better protect victim-survivors of family and gendered violence and to hold perpetrators to account. These reforms have been shaped by people who have lived it – people who have experienced violence and survived it. I want to acknowledge every one of them for sharing their experiences and helping us to build a better system. These reforms are also shaped by the memory of the women and children whose lives have been taken by family and gendered violence.

We must never lose sight of why this work matters, but Victorians also need to know that progress cannot be taken for granted. These reforms are under threat from a One Nation–Liberal coalition government. Comments such as ‘family violence is a two-way street’ and ‘women should just leave’ ‍–

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on standing order 118, I agree with the Attorney, and to say the opposition in any way has anything to do with those comments is absolutely shameful.

The SPEAKER: That is not a point of order, member for Brighton.

Sonya KILKENNY: These comments are unacceptable. They are not befitting anyone who seeks to govern in this state, and those who fail to call out this kind of rhetoric should never hold high office. So I say to those opposite: stand up, speak out and show leadership.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, I do again renew my point of order on standing order 118. I just called it out, and the Attorney is simply reading her talking points.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Brighton, if you continue to not direct your comments through the Chair, you will be removed from the chamber. There is no point of order.

Sonya KILKENNY: Member for Brighton, this is not about you. When it comes to family violence, silence is not leadership. Victorians deserve leadership.

Cindy McLeish: On a point of order, Speaker, you previously ruled that the member for Brighton go through you, and then immediately the minister went through –

The SPEAKER: That is not a point of order, member for Eildon.