VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:52): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question about the National Centre of Excellence.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: The National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010-2022 was released on 15 February 2011, following endorsement from the Council of Australian Governments. My question is: can the minister tell the chamber about a recent national plan announcement?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:53): I thank the honourable member for his important question. As members would be aware, the national plan brings together government efforts across the nation to make a real and sustained reduction in the level of violence against women. On 13 February 2013 the Hon. Julie Collins MP, Australian Minister for the Status of Women, announced the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence. The centre will provide a central point for researchers, policy makers and practitioners in the fields of domestic violence, family and sexual violence to link up and provide evidence-based responses to help reduce domestic, family and sexual violence.

I am delighted to advise that the South Australian expert in women's social policy and co-chair of the Premier's Council for Women, Professor Anne Edwards, has been appointed as the chair of the new National Centre of Excellence being established to help reduce domestic violence. Mr President, I am sure you will agree that the appointment of Professor Edwards, who was the former vice-chancellor of Flinders University, is a real coup for South Australia. I am advised that Professor Edwards' research on sexual assault cases, particularly in the criminal justice system, has been a major contribution to the study of violence against women. The centre will provide the opportunity for governments to work more effectively to reduce violence against women and their children.

I am advised that it will help strengthen the evidence base from which policy is developed by bringing together existing research and also undertaking new research under an agreed national agenda. I am also very pleased to advise the chamber that the state government is supporting this important work by contributing more than $100,000 annually from the 2013-14 year. Professor Edwards' other senior positions include Deputy Chair of the Australian Research Council and Chair of the Research Committee at the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. She is also a fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences, the Australian College of Educators and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Professor Edwards is a sociologist who spent her career in universities, most recently at Flinders University where she was vice-chancellor from 2001 to 2007. Her academic interests include social inequity, social control, the modern state, social policy, ageing, and women and gender issues. She has contributed to a number of areas of social policy. She is also on several South Australian boards and national bodies.

The new centre, which will be based in Sydney, is the result of extensive consultation with the sector and begins operations this year. I look forward to hearing about the important work being undertaken by the centre. I take this opportunity to place on record my sincere congratulations to Professor Edwards: I have always enjoyed working with her, and I am sure she will be a great success in her new role.