Anthony Albanese delivers fiery speech in Canberra as thousands in calling out violence against women

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has delivered a fiery speech protesting violence against women at a rally in Canberra. He is demanding widespread change at all levels of Australian society and asking protesters to hold him ‘accountable’ for his government’s actions.

In a speech that was sometimes met with cheers and interruptions, Mr Albanese said Australia must change its “culture”, “attitudes” and “justice system” to end the scourge of violence against women that is reportedly already claimed the lives of 26 people. women this year.

“We are here today to demand that governments at all levels do better, including mine, and every state and territory government,” he told the large crowd.

“We are also here to say that society, and Australia, must do better.

“We have to change the culture, we have to change attitudes, we have to change the justice system.

“We need to change the approach of all governments because it is not enough to support victims. We must focus on the perpetrators and focus on prevention.’

Mr Albanese suggested he had asked the rally organizers for permission to speak but had been pushed back.

“We asked to speak, myself and (Treasury Secretary) Katy (Gallagher) and we were told that’s not possible,” he said.

“And that’s fine, we respect the organizers’ right to do that.”

A woman next to the Prime Minister interjected: “That’s a lie.”

Earlier, rally organizer Sarah Williams started the demonstration by sharing her own experiences with family and domestic violence, as well as homelessness.

In an awkward and tense exchange, Ms Williams then demanded that the politicians in attendance acquiesce to the organisation’s demands and declare that the recent spate of murders of women by men was a national emergency.

However, Labor ministers appeared unresponsive and confused, initially refusing to lead the rally, a move that drew boos and bickering from the crowd.

“Why are you even here?” one protester shouted from the crowd.

“Shame on you,” shouted another.

Mr Albanese spoke about some of the measures his government has taken to tackle the problem, including the introduction of domestic violence payments.

A protester interrupted and said, “It’s not enough.”

The Prime Minister responded: “I agree this is not enough. I said that. We have to do more.’

Even as his words were interrupted by cheers and jeers from the crowd, Mr Albanese continued his speech, promising that the government he led would redouble its efforts to combat gender-based violence.

Mr Albanese said he would convene a National Cabinet meeting on Wednesday to discuss the issue of domestic and family violence with state and territory chief ministers.

Mr Albanese concluded his speech by calling the problem a “national crisis” and said one or two months of funding would not be enough to solve it.

“It’s up to men to change men’s behavior too,” he said.

“Yes, people need to be accountable and I will be accountable for what my government does.”

The Prime Minister then proceeded to his waiting motorcade and then left Capital Hill and the 5,000-strong crowd gathered on the front lawn.

Earlier, demonstrators traveled from Commonwealth Park, on the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin, to the front gardens of the Commonwealth Parliament House. Several thousand demonstrators chanted slogans and waved signs reading “26 women killed this year” and “Enough is enough.”

The protest was coordinated by What were you wearinga community organization that advocates against gender-based violence and calls for increased funding for domestic and sexual violence services.

The nonprofit is also demanding improved reporting options for people experiencing domestic violence and new rules that prevent the media from publishing images of women killed by men for 48 hours after the murder.

State and federal governments are facing renewed pressure to take further action to end domestic violence after 26 women were reportedly killed by men in the first 115 days of the year.

In addition to the protest in the nation’s capital, rallies have also been held in Melbourne, Brisbane and several regional centres.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and her deputy Ben Carroll, as well as federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, joined the meeting in Melbourne.

An estimated 15,000 people showed up in Melbourne.

“Today we march for all the victims and for us and our future,” said an organizer.

“This is a very moving and stressful event.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli both attended the event in Brisbane.

“Today it is fantastic to see so many Queenslanders standing with Queenslanders and sending the message that such behavior is simply not acceptable in our state or in our society,” Mr Miles said.

“I think men should be advocates too. We must stand with the women in our state, we must send a message that we will not tolerate violence, and we must tell other men that this type of behavior, as well as coercive control, is simply not acceptable.”

‘No More: National Rally Against Gender Based Violence’ rallies took place in Sydney, Hobart and Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy, as well as NSW Premier Chris Minns and MP Rose Jackson were all in attendance.

Three women died in the past week, including 28-year-old mother Molly Ticehurst in Forbes, in regional NSW, and 49-year-old Emma Bates in Cobram, near the NSW-Victoria border.

A third woman, 30-year-old mother-of-four Erica Hay, was found dead after a house fire in Warnbro, south Perth, at 1am on Friday.

Five women were stabbed to death during the Westfield Bondi Junction attack by a man three weeks ago. A male guard was also killed.

The meetings, organized by advocacy group What Were You Wearing, also took place in Newcastle and Ballarat on Friday.

More are planned for Sunday in Melbourne, Perth, Bendigo, the Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Brisbane, Coffs Harbour, Canberra, Gold Coast, Orange, Wagga Wagga and Combram.