Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced sharp criticism after dismissing calls for a royal commission into violence against women, just days after two women died in separate murder-suicides across Australia. The incidents, which occurred on Friday, have reignited debate over the nation's response to gender-based violence.
Recent Tragedies Spark Outrage
In Tasmania, a woman in her 60s was found dead in an apparent murder-suicide at a remote home in Campania, north of Hobart. Her suspected killer, a man, took his own life. Detective Inspector David Gill described the scene as 'extremely confronting' for first responders, stating, 'These images that they have seen will stay with them.' Police are treating the case as a family violence incident.
On the same day in Werribee, Melbourne's south-west, a 29-year-old woman was discovered dead at a home recently listed for sale. The body of a 31-year-old man was found nearby. While autopsies are pending, police suspect another murder-suicide.
These deaths bring the total number of women murdered in Australia this year to 27, a statistic that has intensified calls for urgent action.
Radio Interview Confrontation
During a segment on the Hit100.9 Hobart Dan and Christie for Breakfast show, former Home and Away star Christie Hayes challenged Albanese on the need for a royal commission. Hayes, who played Kristy Phillips on the soap, pressed the PM after he initially dismissed the idea, saying, 'Well, there's calls for a royal commission about everything.'
Hayes fired back: 'I think deaths of women are pretty paramount, wouldn't you say?' Albanese responded, 'Yeah, they are, but you gotta work out what does a royal commission do, besides fund lawyers.'
After the interview, Hayes told the Daily Mail that the Prime Minister's remarks were 'very tone-deaf and so out of touch.' She questioned, 'Does he want our women to be killed? No. Does he want to do anything about it? No.'
Government Response and Criticism
Albanese defended his government's record, stating they are 'throwing $4.4 billion at this' and highlighting initiatives such as crisis housing and ten days of paid leave for those experiencing domestic violence. He added, 'Every single woman who suffers this fate is one too many,' but emphasized that 'the government can't tackle it alone,' calling on men to speak to other men about the issue.
Hayes countered: 'I think it's really important that you yourself keep talking about it. We've seen four deaths in four days and we have yet to hear anything from any government official, especially yourself.' She urged Albanese to show leadership, saying, 'You are the man who leads the nation. I think we really need that leadership from you to address that this is a crisis.'
Petition and Public Demand
A petition calling for a royal commission into violence against women has garnered over 90,000 signatures. Hayes noted that she raised the petition spontaneously during the interview, despite her producer informing the PM's team in advance about the topic of femicide. She argued that a royal commission could be a practical step to 'get to the bottom of' the crisis, stating, 'I don't care how much it costs or how much time goes into it. There should be nothing on Earth that we're not doing.'
Albanese acknowledged calls for a royal commission but questioned its effectiveness, pointing to existing inquiries at various levels of government. He said, 'The victims deserve justice – the question is, does a royal commission do that? They take time, cost a lot of money, rather than money going into services. We're just not doing well enough, as a society.'
Broader Context
Hayes highlighted the grim statistic that a woman is killed by a man every four days on average in Australia. She expressed frustration that the government has not issued a formal statement following the recent deaths, particularly during May, which is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month. 'It should be a fresh wound, and it doesn't feel like it is whatsoever,' she said.
The confrontation has sparked widespread debate, with many accusing the Prime Minister of being out of touch. Hayes concluded, 'Maybe there are requests for a royal commission into things that aren't viable. But a crisis of femicide in Australia... don't just dismiss it like it's nothing.'
