STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr HAMILTON (Groom) (13:47): I rise today to acknowledge the passing of Ms Jana Armstrong. Jana was an alleged victim of a domestic violence murder in my electorate. But I want to speak about her life.

She was someone who cared fiercely, who loved deeply. She was her sister's best friend. She adored her little brother and, most of all, what I'd like her to be remembered for is that she was someone who loved being a mother, absolutely loved being a mother.

At her funeral, her sister, Faith, said, 'I promise your name will continue to be spoken,' and today the name Jana Armstrong has been spoken here in Australia's parliament. It's important that we talk more about domestic violence in our communities and it's important we speak more directly to men about domestic violence. There are many programs in our communities designed to help men recognise controlling and violent behaviours, to seek help and to change before violence occurs.

Too often, as in today, we speak about these services when it is too late. I commit to using my position here to talk more on this issue. I want to thank my friend Matt Smith, the member for Leichhardt, for joining me on this endeavour.

I want to thank the minister and the Leader of the Opposition for getting behind this. We need to talk about domestic violence. It's a very uncomfortable conversation.

It's a conversation about what happens in the home, and it's one that affects far too many Australians far too deeply.