Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has issued a powerful call to action, urging Australians to 'maintain the rage' over the shocking number of women killed in acts of domestic violence this year.
A Heartbreaking Tribute in Parliament
The emotional plea came just ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The parliamentary session saw Labor MP Sharon Claydon introduce a motion to end family and domestic violence, during which she read aloud the names of the 74 Australian women who have lost their lives to such violence in 2024.
'Every year I read this list in the hope it will be the last,' Claydon stated, her voice heavy with emotion. 'Heartbreakingly, that day has not yet come.' Her words underscored the grim reality of a continuing national crisis.
A Cross-Party Call for Change
Sussan Ley's response was one of fierce determination, channelling collective grief into a demand for sustained outrage and action. The sentiment for a unified front was echoed by Liberal MP Aaron Violi, who specifically addressed his male colleagues.
Violi urged men to step up and become an active part of the solution to ending violence against women, highlighting that this is not just a women's issue, but a societal one that requires everyone's involvement.
The Path Forward: From Grief to Action
This parliamentary moment transcends political divides, uniting representatives in a shared mission. The reading of the names and the subsequent speeches signal a critical point where remembrance must transform into tangible change.
The collective message from Westminster is clear: the time for complacency is over. As a nation, Australia is being called upon to harness its anger and grief to create a future where such a list of names never has to be read again.
