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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-05-22 Daily Xml
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Motions

Domestic Violence

Debate resumed.

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (12:46): I rise to support the motion moved by the member for Stuart that this house recognises Domestic Violence Prevention Month, condemns all forms of domestic and family violence, and calls on the government to more proactively address the prevention of domestic violence throughout South Australia.

I particularly note one of the emerging trends in the discussion about domestic violence was recognised in the member for Stuart's motion in paragraph (b), the discussion of domestic and family violence, because of course we are talking about a phenomenon that does not just occur inside the home, it can occur in all sorts of places. There is one horrid example of which every member I am sure is aware—and I will dwell on a little later. I think that talking about domestic and family violence is an important emerging trend and I am sure that there will be suitable discussion on that and about services in particular.

I am somewhat disappointed that the government has decided without notice to move an amendment that changes the direction of part of the motion that the member for Stuart has moved. We will consider it in the coming couple of weeks as to what the appropriate response is. Can I say that the reason it is important to call upon the government to do more to proactively address the prevention of domestic violence is that there will always be more to be done so long as there is one death—let alone one a week—due to domestic and family violence in Australia. That is the sign that there is more to do and more that the government can do.

If the members opposite who have moved this amendment think that they have done enough and are therefore to be congratulated as if that is the end of the game, then I think that they have set a very high bar for themselves. I would say (and I am sure that the member for Stuart would agree) that we would set ourselves the same challenge were we on the other side and in government. Any government that does not acknowledge that there is always more to be done has set a very high bar indeed, so I think that they should perhaps reflect on that. Nevertheless I do not want to dwell on the matter because I think that there is significant bipartisan support and significant goodwill for the efforts that the government is making to combat domestic violence—and the efforts that all governments make to combat domestic violence.

Of course, we do not just have a role as legislators—and the government as funders—in the area of domestic violence. We also have a role as community leaders in leading the discussion on this. That is why the member for Stuart in his comments referred to the number of White Ribbon Ambassadors in this house and the leader acknowledged the work of other White Ribbon Ambassadors in other houses. It is important that we change the culture. It is important in particular, given the overwhelming preponderance of domestic violence against women, that men take a lead role in changing that culture and acknowledge the significance of the issue.

As the member for Stuart said, all demographics are affected by domestic violence. So many Australian and South Australian women have been the victims of physical or sexual violence by people who are supposed to love them the most: their partners, their families, their parents, and unfortunately, even current partners.

I note that the victim support services in South Australia estimate that about six South Australian women will be killed by a husband, a partner or a boyfriend this year. Today, unfortunately, due to the sittings of parliament, I know that a number of members who would probably have been there otherwise will be unable to attend the domestic violence vigil in remembrance of the death of Graziella Dailler in Murray Bridge.

I note that a number of people do listen to the proceedings of parliament online so, for those who can attend, it is at the Local Government Centre at 2 Seventh Street, Murray Bridge and anyone is welcome to show their support for victims of domestic and family violence and can bring a red rose to place beneath the domestic homicide remembrance flag. Graziella Dailler's body was found on Friday 16 May and her partner then killed himself. She was a mother of three and a grandmother of two and I cannot even bring myself to imagine what her family are going through and have gone through.

The member for Reynell, in her contribution, recognised the inaugural National Candlelight Vigil that was run by the Coalition of Women's Domestic Violence Services on the day of her maiden speech. I regret I do not have the date to hand but I acknowledge that other members may have attended before I got there. I was only able to attend after the rising of the house and was pleased to join the Hon. Michelle Lensink MLC and actually meet the family of Zahra Abrahimzadeh, in particular, Arman, whom I had previously seen speak at one of the breakfasts at the Festival Centre, and her daughter, Atena, who spoke very bravely at that vigil about the experiences of her family.

It is so important that those who are able to, those who feel comfortable in doing so, in sharing their experiences, help change the culture. They help change people's perceptions. They help bring this matter to the light, so that it will encourage an improved culture in our community. Zahra Abrahimzadeh was stabbed eight times by her estranged husband, Zioalloh, at the Persian New Year celebrations at the Convention Centre in March 2010 despite a restraining order.

Members who are aware of the case would be aware of the struggle that her family went through prior to her death to ensure that the necessary protections were in place, and the inquest that took place last year identified a number of areas where things could be improved. As a result, domestic violence training has now been given to police assistance line operators and I think there are other things that still need to be dealt with by the inquest. There is still some discussion within government departments about the workloads of certain people that may have led to other issues being an issue and I do not wish to go into those today, but the result of the inquest is there for everyone to read.

I want to acknowledge the significant work done by so many people in this area in South Australia and the ones I am familiar with are related to domestic violence support services in particular with whom I have a relationship. My office in fact assists the Eastern Adelaide Domestic Violence Service. Last year was our first and this year will be our second quiz night raising funds for that service's educational programs.

I acknowledge that on 17 October we hope to again raise in excess of $5,000 as we did last year to support those educational programs. It is domestic violence month and one of the staff members at the Eastern Adelaide Domestic Violence Service wrote to me a couple of days ago some words that I would like to share with the house:

It has been a horror month both locally and across Australia in terms of the murder of women and children during 'domestic disputes'. As usual our staff are run off their feet in attempting to meet the needs of individuals and services that require specialist services. It is a great comfort to us that there are people like you all working behind the scenes in support of the work that we do.

I think that as members of parliament, it behoves us all to get in touch with local support services for women and families who have been victims of domestic violence and who are able to move forward with the support of those services.

In terms of culture, can I suggest as the White Ribbon Foundation does: the White Ribbon Foundation asks all men to swear to never commit, excuse or remain silent about domestic violence. I am sure many members of the house have made that pledge and will continue to do so, and it is worth renewing.

Therefore, with those words I commend the member for Stuart for bringing the motion to the house. I commend the motion to the house, certainly in its initial form—we will have a look at the amendment—and urge everybody to do whatever they can to bring that message to their communities and help continue to improve the culture so that we may indeed one day see an end to all domestic and family violence.

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (12:56): I rise today to support the motion brought by the member for Stuart in recognising Domestic Violence Prevention Month together with condemning all forms of domestic and family violence. The call for the government to be proactive has never been more timely. Clearly, other members of the parliament today have confirmed not only their commitment to the objective here but also that it is necessary to actually have some action in ensuring that that objective is achieved.

During the recent state election campaign, and until shortly thereafter, I was the opposition spokesperson for women, a position I proudly held. I was pleased to present for consideration during the election a number of proposals, including a commitment of $200,000 to Yarrow Place, which is a rape and sexual assault service which provides extraordinary work to those who are victims of rape and sexual assault amongst South Australians, and which had published their plight in having to provide services but were then reaching weeks and months of waiting times to provide that service.

So, that was a commitment made by the Liberal Party to provide that funding. We are disappointed that the government's attitude had not been to provide for that, but we made that commitment. There were also provisions for us to support domestic violence advocacy and education services and to have some legislative reforms, including reforming the provocation defence in respect of the grounds for murder charges. These are all on-the-ground initiatives which we felt would assist women particularly, but certainly children of family violence also.

The death of Zahra Abrahimzadeh has been referred to by other speakers. In fact, the Speaker and I were at the occasion of the Persian national day dinner and we both actually left shortly before this tragic event occurred. It is well-publicised now as to what had occurred, and in particular what seems to be the failure of people who are vested with the responsibility of support, when notified, to act.

I have spoken at length in this parliament about the coronial inquest that followed the death of Robyn Eileen Hayward and the disgraceful abandonment of the authorities—police and others—in the lead-up to her death when there had been a known perpetrator of the violence against her. He subsequently was shot dead by police officers during the time of apprehension, but here are two deaths that have ultimately been the legacy of the failure to act when there had been reporting.

I have also said that I do not blame any government or authority for the fact that we have domestic violence in this state, but I think once they are notified of it they then have a legal and political responsibility to act, and I will be continuing to make adverse comment about them if they fail to act. With that, Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.

[Sitting suspended from 13:00 to 14:00]

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