Today National Cabinet agreed to take action on alcohol to help prevent gender-based violence and violence against children in Australia.
Addressing the media this morning, the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP said, “We focused on action in four areas: supporting the critical work of frontline services, turning our eyes on perpetrators to stop violence from escalating, providing more support for children and young people who have experienced violence, and tackling the impacts of alcohol on violence.”
A media statement released by the Prime Minister today and agreed to by First Ministers stated, “Acknowledging the role that systems and industries can play in exacerbating violence, State and Territory First Ministers agreed to review alcohol laws and its impact on family and domestic violence victims to identify and share best practice and reforms and to report back to National Cabinet on progress.”
Kym Valentine, an experienced television/theatre actor and Survivor Advocate, applauded National Cabinet members for acknowledging the role alcohol plays in exacerbating and increasing rates of family and domestic violence.
“As a victim survivor and an advocate for the voice of people with a lived experience – thank you.
“Thank you for hearing us, and for believing us.
“For far too long, it has been politically controversial to take action on alcohol – despite the fact that the link between alcohol and violence has always been categorically undeniable.
“For victim survivors and children this is a significant moment. Our real-life experiences can’t be ignored, suppressed or denied any more.”
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) CEO Caterina Giorgi welcomed National Cabinet’s commitment to acting on alcohol as part of its approach to preventing gender-based violence.
“We welcome the Prime Minister’s acknowledgement of alcohol as a priority at today’s National Cabinet meeting and thank him and the First Ministers for their commitment to reviewing laws on alcohol to reflect best practice.”
“We look forward to continuing to work with all states and territories to ensure that the voices of victim survivors are heard throughout this process and that the laws on alcohol prioritise the health and wellbeing of women and children.”
