WHITE RIBBON DAY

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:00): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question on White Ribbon Day.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: White Ribbon Day, held on 25 November each year, is the United Nations' day for the elimination of violence against women. Across the world people—but particularly men—wear white ribbons on this day to show their commitment to ending violence against women. A number of men across Australia have illustrated this commitment by agreeing to be White Ribbon Day ambassadors. Will the minister tell the council about South Australia's increasing number of White Ribbon Day ambassadors in 2008?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:00): I thank the honourable member for his support in this important policy initiative. As the member noted, White Ribbon Day is the United Nations' international day for the elimination of violence against women and it falls on 25 November each year. Men are encouraged to show their support for this cause by wearing a white ribbon as a visible sign that the wearer does not support or condone the use of violence against women.

A White Ribbon Day ambassador function was held yesterday evening. I co-hosted this event with Channel 7 personality and White Ribbon Foundation Chair, Andrew O'Keefe (from the famous Deal or No Deal TV program). Highly respected and prominent men from across South Australia were invited to the function to learn more about the White Ribbon Day campaign and what is involved in becoming a White Ribbon Day ambassador for South Australia.

White Ribbon Day ambassadors use their profile in the community to encourage other men to participate in the global movement to eliminate violence against women. They provide strong, positive role models to men (and particularly young men), and use their influence to speak out against violence against women, and to promote a very clear message that any form of violence against women is completely unacceptable.

Given the important role that ambassadors play, I am pleased to announce that, as a result of last night's event, I expect that we will increase the number of South Australian ambassadors from 14 to over 70. I also make special mention of our Premier, who agreed last night to become an ambassador. I am also pleased to advise that there are a number of members in this place who came along and supported the event and who have signed up to become, or have indicated a commitment to become, ambassadors, including the Hon. John Gazzola, the Hon. Ian Hunter, the Hon. Stephen Wade and the Hon. Mark Parnell. I also acknowledge that the Hon. Michelle Lensink also came along and supported the evening's events. I appreciate their support and their commitment to becoming ambassadors.

Some of the current South Australian ambassadors include the former captain of the Adelaide Crows, Mark Bickley; the Attorney-General, Michael Atkinson; and the federal member for Hindmarsh, Steve Georganas. I am pleased to also note that the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, is also demonstrating his strong commitment to preventing violence against women as a White Ribbon Day ambassador.

The 2008 campaign slogan is 'Not Violent, Not Silent'. The Office for Women will be working with the White Ribbon Foundation to coordinate the South Australian White Ribbon Day campaign and events. The campaign continues to become stronger every year as more men take a stand against violence against women and help create positive role models for other men in the community.

Some of the really startling statistics show that one in three women experience violence in their lifetime: 31 per cent of women assaulted in the past 12 months were assaulted by an intimate partner; and 60 per cent of Australian women murdered are killed by an intimate partner. Violence against women is calculated to cost Australia around $8.1 billion a year, which is quite staggering. This is simply unacceptable and, no matter which form violence takes, it should not be tolerated.

This is not just a women's issue; it is as much about our sons as it is about our daughters. I place on the record how pleased I am that last night so many men were willing to commit to becoming ambassadors. These men come from a variety of professional backgrounds, from fields such as the media, sport, politics, religion, business and unions—a wide cross-section of people. They all agreed that violence against women is unacceptable, and I thank them for their willingness to participate in such an important initiative.