STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator DAVID POCOCK (Australian Capital Territory—Independent ACT Whip) (13:41): Yesterday the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission tabled its yearly report, and I thank them for their work. The findings were distressing but, unfortunately, unsurprising. The rate of intimate partner homicide for First Nations women has increased and is now at a record high.

The hospitalisation of First Nations women and children for family violence assault is increasing. The number of women and children affected by family violence who are experiencing persistent homelessness is also increasing. And 80 per cent of police call-outs in Australia are now domestic and family violence related.

That is a staggering statistic and one that recent government investments have failed to turn around. As the report says, too often we're missing opportunities to prevent violence, intervene earlier, support recovery and reduce future demand. As the federal government works towards its second National Action Plan I would urge them to heed the eight recommendations the commission has put forward.

We need to focus less on the dollar figure already invested and more on the outcomes and whether or not they are shifting in the way we need them to. I particularly welcome the recommendation to invest more in early intervention. I hear from so many people—teachers, social workers and frontline service providers—that early intervention programs are working.

The demand for these services is huge, but the funding is inadequate, and when it is there it's short term and uncertain. There is also a lack of transparency in how federal funding is flowing to the states and territories and how it's being spent. The commission notes some small improvements here but notes that there is still no national framework for tracking expenditure between jurisdictions.

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