QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (14:24): I thank Senator Brown for that important question, again, on the subject of domestic, family and sexual violence. Today, that important report from the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner has been tabled in the parliament.

I think all of us in this chamber would want to acknowledge the work of Commissioner Cronin and her staff for the work that goes into these reports. The report acknowledges the work that has been delivered by the government over the last four years and that there is, as I just said to Senator Waters, much more to do. We've invested more than any other government so far—$4.4 billion in frontline services, preventive programs, behaviour change and programs for children—across government.

We've made the leaving violence payment permanent, giving people escaping violence over $5,000 in financial help as well as safety, planning and support. We've legislated 10 days paid domestic violence leave, and we funded those frontline domestic, family and sexual violence workers in state and territory services. We've been undertaking consultation on the next phase of the national plan to end violence.

Over a thousand experts and frontline services have attended over 163 roundtables. I joined a roundtable with the Prime Minister in August and convened one here locally in July. The commission's report echoes what we've heard through these consultations—consistently address risk and act early to prevent harm, focus on preventing and responding to sexual violence, make sure that we have the evidence of what works and track progress.

We are determined to get this action plan right. Last month, National Cabinet agreed to a new national family and domestic violence risk assessment framework. This means that wherever someone seeks help—from police, a doctor or a hospital in Canberra or Cairns—the warning signs should be recognised and acted upon.

National Cabinet has also agreed to further priorities in the section— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Brown, first supplementary?