Vision and commitment
Recommendation 1
That the Australian Government commit to a vision for Australia where 'women and their children live free from violence, within respectful relationships, and in safe communities'.
Recommendation 2
That the Australian Government support the realisation of this vision for Australia’s women and children through a long-term, strategic and sustained commitment.
This commitment would be effected through a series of three-year implementation plans to 2021 to be developed in partnership with government, business and the community, built on research and evaluation, and that will incorporate the outcomes of measures already implemented.
Clear outcomes, strategies and actions
Recommendation 3
That the Australian Government agree that realising this vision requires that:
- Communities are safe and free from violence
- Relationships are respectful
- Services meet the needs of women and their children
- Responses are just
- Perpetrators stop their violence
- Systems work together effectively.
Recommendation 4
That the Australian Government accept that the strategies developed by Council under the six outcomes are based on research, best practice, and community feedback; and that these strategies must underpin any effective response. The Government should also acknowledge that these strategies alone may be insufficient, and that new strategies may be required over time.
Recommendation 5
That the Australian Government note that the Council has identified a set of actions for the next 12 years aimed at achieving the Plan of Action’s outcomes and executing its strategies, and agree to:
- urgently implement the priority actions that the Council considers represent the minimum investment to effect change;
- start work on the other early actions identified in the first three-year implementation plan;
- review all actions in developing the second and subsequent three-year implementation plans.
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A national response through the Council of Australian Governments
Recommendation 6
That the Australian Government recognise the critical role of State and Territory governments in reducing violence against women and their children; that it refer the Plan of Action to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG); and request that COAG develop an integrated, comprehensive response endorsed by all levels of government by early 2010.
Recommendation 7
That the Australian Government acknowledge the social and economic costs of inaction; and that it encourages Commonwealth, State and Territory ministers and agencies to take action consistent with the Plan of Action’s outcomes in advance of the integrated, comprehensive response being developed by COAG.
Recommendation 8
That, following referral to COAG, the Australian Government pursue the development of a whole-of-government approach that:
- builds on the vision, outcomes, strategies and actions identified by the Council;
- aligns all Commonwealth, State and Territory governments’ plans, policies, procedures, and practices with those agreed to by COAG;
- includes a robust system of regular reporting, independent monitoring, and comprehensive independent evaluations that will develop a strong evidence base to measure the impacts and outcomes of actions.
Recommendation 9
That the Australian Government work with State and Territory governments through COAG to ensure the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children meets the needs of children who witness and experience domestic and family violence.
Continued community engagement on action
Recommendation 10
That the Australian Government recognise the critical need to provide a multi-layered, phased, and cohesive approach to public awareness and discussion about violence prevention and behavioural change over the Plan of Action’s lifetime; and agree that the Commonwealth Minister for the Status of Women will lead the development of a social marketing strategy in partnership with State and Territory governments and the community.
Recommendation 11
That the Australian Government accept the vital role of the community in helping reduce violence against women and their children, and agree to:
- work in partnership with other levels of government, business, and the community sector;
- provide opportunities for individuals, business, community, and other institutions;
- build bi-partisan support at the Federal, State, Territory, and Local government levels to support the broad directions advocated in the Plan of Action;
- extend the role of the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, or similar body, to one of helping to implement the Plan of Action.