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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-11-26 Daily Xml
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WHITE RIBBON DAY

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (15:31): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question regarding White Ribbon Day.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS: White Ribbon is the world's largest male-led movement to end men's violence against women and is recognised annually on 25 November around the world. Can the minister inform us of the White Ribbon Day breakfast held on Monday 25 November and the White Ribbon Day events that were held across South Australia?

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) (15:32): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. The White Ribbon campaign began in Montreal in Canada in 1999. The United Nations General Assembly declared 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, with a white ribbon as its iconic symbol.

The campaign is a global initiative that aims to recognise the significant and positive role that men have in preventing violence again women. The campaign is aimed at encouraging men to take on leadership roles in prevention of violence. The White Ribbon campaign works on the principle that most men are not violent, and that by encouraging men to take a public stand on violence, our communities can effectively and safely challenge the minority of men whose attitudes or behaviours condone violence against women.

White Ribbon Australia is Australia's only national, male-led primary prevention campaign to end men's violence against women. Particular to Australia's recognition of White Ribbon is the White Ribbon oath: never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women, an oath I understand that many honourable members in here have taken along with their commitment as White Ribbon ambassadors. I would like to recognise yourself, Mr President, as an ambassador and also the Hon. Ian Hunter, Hon. Russell Wortley, Hon. John Darley, Hon. Mark Parnell, Hon. Stephen Wade, Hon. Robert Brokenshire, Hon. John Dawkins; and the Hon. Gerry Kandelaars who I know was at the breakfast yesterday—it was so early, it is easy to think it was a week ago—and his ongoing commitment to this very important issue.

I was pleased to again be able to attend the annual White Ribbon Day Breakfast. I am not too sure why we do not make it a lunch—I think I might put a motion forward—my goodness! It was hosted by the Adelaide White Ribbon Breakfast Committee, and we heard an address from Michael Hourigan. Mr Hourigan is a former South Australian crown prosecutor whose work has taken him to Rwanda, Eastern Europe and Iraq where he has investigated war crimes, trafficking and institutional rape and torture. His speech was, I have to say, a very confronting reminder that Australian women are not immune to the violent atrocities perpetrated against women that are witnessed globally.

I was also incredibly moved, as were honourable members also in attendance, to hear from Arman Abrahimzadeh. It was a very moving address and I am positive that other honourable members felt the same. Arman is just one of too many children in Australia who have lost a parent to domestic violence and witness to the excruciating trail of devastation that domestic violence leaves in its wake. Today Arman is a remarkable young man who has turned his experience into a passion for advocating for improving legislation, policy and procedures to deal with domestic violence in South Australia. He showed enormous courage and strength of character in being able to do that.

Outside metropolitan Adelaide I am aware that numerous South Australian communities and organisations came together to recognise this most important day, including Whyalla, Ceduna, Mount Gambier, the Riverland, Port Augusta, Murray Bridge, Victor Harbor and Goolwa, with many hosting events for schools and families. It is heartening to see that every year more and more events are being held across the state to raise awareness about this important issue. They highlight the commitment of South Australian people to eliminate once and forever the scourge of our society that involves violence against women which knows no class, no boundaries and no economic status.

The South Australian government has worked tirelessly to ensure that we are creating a society that will one day be free from gender-based violence. I have spoken in this place about the numerous and comprehensive initiatives that we have rolled out to help to end violence against women, such as our intervention orders legislation which is designed to make it easier to obtain an order by giving police particular powers.

It has also assisted in enabling women and children to stay in their homes, as I have talked about before, and our family safety framework, which I have talked about today as well. These highlight some of the government's initiatives. Obviously we do not take violence against women lightly; we do not tolerate it. It is never to be tolerated and we will not stop until we end up with a society that is violence free.

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