MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Ms WHITE (Lyons—Assistant Minister for Women, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health) (11:38): I would first like to acknowledge the leadership of our Prime Minister, Minister Plibersek and Assistant Minister Kearney for the work that they're doing in the prevention of family, domestic and sexual violence. I thought the speeches that were given to the House of Representatives yesterday by Minister Plibersek and today by the assistant minister were brilliant in both outlining the problem and also demonstrating our commitment to addressing violence in our country and to doing that in a bipartisan, cross-party way.

It is a significant challenge, a societal challenge, that confronts all of us, and I'd like to recognise and pay my respect to the stories of victim-survivors, thank them for their bravery and acknowledge that, for the many women and, in some cases, children whom I've met who've shared their stories, it can be incredibly retraumatising and incredibly hard, but it's really powerful and it does make a difference and it is affecting change.

So thank you. I would also like to acknowledge the tabling of the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner's annual report and to thank Commissioner Cronin for her leadership as Australia's inaugural domestic, family and sexual violence commissioner. The commissioner's annual report is an important accountability mechanism under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children.

It reminds us of the scale of the challenge before us and of the shared responsibility across governments, services and communities to prevent violence, support victims-survivors and improve safety. Domestic, family and sexual violence is not confined to one portfolio, one system or one part of our society. It has deep and lasting impacts on physical health, mental health, wellbeing, social participation and economic security.

For many victims-survivors, the health system is the first place where they seek help. For some, it may be the only place where their experience of violence is seen, heard or safely disclosed. The health system cannot end violence on its own, but it does have a vital role to play alongside justice, housing, social services and specialist family, domestic and sexual violence services.

We need health services that can identify violence early, respond in a trauma informed way, assess risk, support long-term recovery and connect people to the right services at the right time. Our government is investing in health initiatives to support health workforces to identify and respond safely to violence, including the Supporting the Primary Care Sector Response to Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Primary Health Network pilot.

The pilot is giving primary care workers the training, knowledge and practical tools they need to identify and respond to family, domestic and sexual violence and to connect people with the appropriate support. It also supports primary care workers through system integrators, who provide information and guidance to clinicians and help victims-survivors with case coordination and referrals to local specialist services.

This matters because, when violence is identified in a health setting or when a disclosure is made, the response needs to be safe, timely and informed. It needs to support the person in front of the clinician while also recognising the broader risks that may exist for children, families and households. The pilot is being delivered through 12 primary health networks across Australia, and early results indicate it is strengthening capability in primary care.

Between July 2022 and April 2025, more than 721 training sessions were conducted, reaching 3,750 participants. Uptake was highest amongst GPs and practice nurses. The training increased awareness, knowledge and confidence amongst primary care staff to recognise and respond to gendered violence.

System integrators or family, domestic and sexual violence linkers recorded almost 8,500 meaningful interactions with primary care practices. These interactions help staff recognise and respond to violence and help to bridge the gap between primary care and specialist family, domestic and sexual violence services. More than 1,500 direct referrals of clients were made from primary care providers, with almost all relating to family and domestic violence.

These are practical steps that can make a real difference, helping health professionals ask the right questions, respond safely and connect people to support. The government has invested $71.4 million in the pilot program to June 2028. This investment reflects our commitment to building a health system that is better equipped to identify violence, support victims-survivors and work in partnership with specialist services.

The commission's annual report reinforces the importance of sustained, coordinated national action. It also reminds us that progress depends on the systems people encounter every day being ready to recognise, respond and support recovery. The supporting primary care pilot shows what is possible when health professionals are supported with the right training, tools and local connections.

It is one part of a much broader national effort, but it is an important one. We know there is more to do, but we also know that every safe conversation, every informed response and every effective referral can help change the path for someone experiencing violence. The government will continue working with states and territories, the commission, the health sector and specialist services to strengthen prevention, improve responses and support the safety, dignity and recovery of victims-survivors across Australia.