Four deaths in four days sparked renewed calls for a royal commission into violence against women, with a Hobart commercial radio host putting the idea directly to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The petition referenced on the program has now reached 131,873 signatures, with 20 people adding their names in the space of 40 minutes. However, the prime minister’s response \u2014 that royal commissions primarily \u201cfund lawyers\u201d \u2014 has drawn criticism from some quarters. While many working to end domestic, family and sexual violence don’t support the call for a royal commission, they don’t entirely back the prime minister’s approach either, viewing his comment as dismissive of legitimate community anguish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On paper, a royal commission is an independent, public inquiry, but in the collective consciousness, it is also a sign that an issue is of the utmost importance. This is despite the fact that many recommendations from royal commissions are left ignored for years or decades, as seen in previous inquiries into institutional abuse and natural disasters. Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin isn’t a big backer of a national royal commission. \u201cWhat we need to see now is action, coordinated action at a national level that is funded commensurate with the scale of the problem,\u201d she said, arguing that further inquiry risks delaying implementation of already well\u2011documented solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cronin said she understands why people may want a royal commission, but she and her team have examined thousands of recommendations already made by more than 25 different inquiries \u2014 including royal commissions and inquests \u2014 providing practical solutions to stop and respond to violence against women and children. They found while many recommendations were repeated in report after report, they were never acted upon. Some of them were made by Cronin herself in the report of the federal government’s own rapid review into how to prevent violence against women and children, which was delivered more than two years ago. The lack of follow\u2011through has frustrated advocates who see the issue as one of political will rather than lack of knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
The recommendations included a total ban on gambling ads and cutting off alcohol home delivery earlier in the evening, something states and territories committed to examining at an emergency national cabinet meeting in May 2024. The federal government didn’t take that advice on gambling, citing industry pushback and concerns about advertising revenue for media outlets. South Australia, the only state that committed to restricting alcohol delivery times, hasn’t yet followed through, with the state government citing technical and enforcement challenges. The gap between inquiry recommendations and meaningful action on the ground has become a recurring theme in the debate, with many questioning why successive governments have failed to prioritise women’s safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prime minister’s office has since clarified that while he does not support a royal commission at this time, he is open to other mechanisms to drive accountability, including a parliamentary joint committee and a national summit of experts and survivors. The government has also committed to additional funding for frontline services, including crisis accommodation and legal aid, recognising that immediate support is as critical as long-term reform. However, advocacy groups have described these measures as insufficient, arguing that the scale of the problem demands a fundamental rethinking of how society addresses gendered violence, including education, policing and judicial responses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the debate continues, the voices of survivors and their families remain central to the conversation. Many are calling for a national memorial day and a dedicated government ministry for women’s safety, proposals that are gaining traction across the political spectrum. The opposition has indicated it would consider supporting a royal commission if elected, adding political weight to the campaign. For now, the government is sticking to its position, but the pressure is mounting for a more robust response. The coming months will reveal whether the current momentum can translate into concrete policy changes that genuinely reduce violence and save lives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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