Family violence: 'There cannot be a flurry of activity when something dreadful happens'

Linda Burney & Anne Aly speak at a press conference ahead of the parliamentary vigil for Hannah Clarke and her children - Wednesday, 26 February 2020

LINDA BURNEY: Good morning everyone. Both Anne and I have come to speak about the scourge – the crisis – in Australia on domestic violence. Tonight the Parliament will be holding a vigil to remember Hannah Clarke and her children, but to also pay homage to the thousands of other women and children who have lost their lives and have suffered at the hands of abusive partners. The issue of course is very important. And there cannot be a flurry of activity when something dreadful happens. Domestic violence has to be on the agenda all of the time. And it is everybody’s business. Anne has detailed very bravely this week her own personal experience. And what that says very clearly is domestic violence does not discriminate. It affects all people across the board in society. What women need when they are escaping a domestic violence situation – when they are dealing with an abusive relationship – is certainty. They need practical outcomes. They need a place that is safe to go to. They need to be financially secure. They need to understand that there is support out there. And Labor is going to make sure that this is a major issue as we go forward. This is something that is at the heart of what we do as Labor. And I will hand over to Anne if she’d like to add any comments.
 
ANNE ALY: Thank you Linda. Everything that Linda said is absolutely true. And like Linda, I want to make sure that this stays on the agenda – that we don’t just talk about this at that critical point where we are mourning lives lost. I know that a lot of domestic violence happens behind closed doors. And there are a lot of women out there who today are wondering if they’re going to be beaten black and blue tonight. I say to those women, we see you. And we know you. So if you know of anyone, or you yourself are suffering from domestic violence, please reach out; please call the respect line; and please seek help; and please seek help to leave.
 
BURNEY: I think the other point to make is that domestic violence comes in many forms. Abusive relationships come in many forms. There is the physical abuse. But there is emotional; sexual; financial and control as well. These leave a devastating impact for a whole lifetime. And the insidious nature of domestic violence means that children are affected. And there is an intergenerational carry-over, particularly for children who have witnessed it; who have experienced it themselves. So this is a pervasive issue. It’s an issue that affects all Australians. And no one can look away. Thank you.
 
JOURNALIST: Thank you. Just one quick thing. What do you think of Pauline Hanson defending her support for Bettina Arndt?
 
BURNEY: I’m not going to make comment on Pauline Hanson. Bettina Arndt – and Labor’s motion yesterday was clear – has in the view of many people forfeited the right to hold the honour that she has been bestowed because of her actions. What Pauline Hanson says Pauline Hanson says and I’m not going to get into that discussion.
 
ALY: Yeah, I wouldn’t want to give it any more airtime than it deserves.
 
BURNEY: Precisely.
 
JOURNALIST: Thank you.
 
BURNEY: Thank you.

LINDA BURNEY & ANNE ALY

TRANSCRIPT - WEDNESDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2020