NSW Premier Chris Minns outlined precisely why NSW should follow the lead of Victoria and South Australia and hold a royal commission into the worsening rates of violence against women.
His explanation was sound and compelling. A royal commission – with its sweeping powers to probe, uncover and make powerful recommendations – was “attractive to the government”, Minns said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns announces the funding package on Monday.Credit: AAP
Minns pointed to Victoria, which held a royal commission into domestic and family violence in 2015 after Rosie Batty’s son Luke was killed by his father.
“Ten years after their royal commission into domestic and family violence, they’ve rolled out a series of programs, they have kept funding high, they’ve ensured that it’s ongoing,” Minns said.
And the result in Victoria? “They are seeing domestic violence in the community decline, whereas we have gone the other way over the same period of time,” Minns said.
Victoria learnt plenty from its royal commission and NSW would, too.
Except, in the next breath, Minns ruled out following the lead of Victoria, as well as South Australia which is about to start its royal commission into domestic violence. NSW does not have the time nor the money for a lengthy and costly inquiry. Instead, the work must start now, he said.
Minns is correct. The sector is crying out for immediate funding to ensure it does not have to turn women and children away from refuges when they are fleeing a dangerous home.