When it comes to gender-based violence, the Albanese Government is defined by words, not action.
By an anonymous contributor
In the last eight months, 48 women have been lost to violence in Australia. Yet, the second term Albanese government hasn’t even scraped a pass mark in its efforts to address gender-based violence.
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When I sat down to write this article earlier in the week I had a different plan in mind, a report card style analysis of how the Labor government was addressing family, domestic and sexual violence in its second term.
At that point 44 women had been lost to violence since the start of 2025, according to journalist and femicide researcher Sherele Moody of Australian Femicide Watch. That quickly rose to 45 women, then 46, 47, 48 all in a matter of days. In my home state of Victoria, there have been 6 women lost to violence in the last month.
By mid-week I had my answer – no matter your political persuasion it is clear the current strategy is not receiving a passing grade. This is despite state-based royal commissions, the ongoing National Plan to End Gender Based Violence, millions earmarked in the 2025-2026 budget for women’s safety, goodwill and endless lip service from politicians across the chamber.
In 2024, Moody counted the deaths of 103 women, often killed by a man that they knew. An independent Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches declared family and domestic violence a national emergency in August 2024. Yet, the recent election campaign saw little attention paid to gender-based violence until the polls were opening.
So, what has happened since Labor’s landslide victory in May?
In June, during his first major speech, Anthony Albanese outlined his priorities for his second term at the National Press Club. Family, domestic and sexual violence was noticeably missing from plans for economic reform and defence spending. This was despite widespread coverage at the time of findings from the Australian Institute of Family Studies, Ten to Men study, which reported that 1 in 3 men had used intimate partner violence, as an adult. Instead, greater economic opportunity for women was highlighted as a priority.
In the same month, some good news. The World Economic Forum released its rankings for gender equality, with Australia now ranked 13th. Prior to Labor’s election we ranked 50th. In August, the announcement that Australia’s gender pay gap is at an all-time low – 11.5%.
It’s a success worth celebrating, though not the end game, being only one of many strategies in the prevention of gender-based violence. Research has shown that high rates of gender equality do not automatically equal safety for women. A quick search of the ‘Nordic paradox’ could send you on a spiral for hours.
What can the new parliament do to address this national emergency straight away?
The Rapid Review made 21 recommendations to strengthen government approaches to prevent gender-based violence. Among the recommendations were calls for harsher alcohol and gambling laws. However, the government is still dragging its feet on implementing changes two years after the landmark 'You win some, you lose more' parliamentary gambling inquiry.
In February 2025 findings from the Inquiry into family violence in family law matters were released. Among others, the inquiry recommended the next parliament increase the visibility of violent offenders across jurisdictions, adopt nationally harmonised legal definitions of family, domestic and sexual violence, and improve safety and accessibility in the courts.
Djirra, a legal and family violence support service for Aboriginal women, called for bi-partisan support for the National Access to Justice Partnership to ensure it can continue to provide essential frontline services for Aboriginal women.
Advocates and academics Jess Hill and Michael Salter proposed a rethink of our primary prevention strategy. Youth advocate Connor Pall, and others, want the government to do more to recognise children and young people as victim-survivors in their own right.
These are just a handful of suggestions – advocates, academics and the broader sector are brimming with ideas for how best to achieve the overarching goal of the National Plan: that ‘all people in Australia live free from gender-based violence and are safe in all settings including at home, at work, at school, in the health system, community and online.’
With such a significant majority the Labor government must show courage, listen to community and keep family, domestic and sexual violence on the agenda in this new term. Or risk far greater consequences than a failed report card.
About the author
Anonymous contributor
Cheek occasionally publishes work anonymously where a contributor is prevented from writing under their name due to their place of work, or where there is concern for their personal safety or wellbeing.
For Carra, the 48th woman.
She is more than a number on a list. And so are all the others. Each woman stolen leaves behind children, friends, family, colleagues and whole communities who feel the ripple of her loss. Carra was my friend, a nurse, a mum, someone who gave so much to others. Two Friday nights ago, her life was stolen by her ex husband and her children’s lives have been torn apart. I marched last year with my daughters, never imagining I would be here now grieving my friend. I have read the numbers for years, but it is different when you are suddenly inside them.
Our leaders speak the words, but women keep dying. Carra deserved better. We all do.
Very good article and a recognition that violence against women, in particular is never over