The hard proof that Anthony Albanese is failing to protect women – as he urges Aussies to ‘do more’ to combat the ‘national crisis’ of male violence
EXCLUSIVE
Anthony Albanese has urged Australians to ‘do more’ to combat the ‘national crisis’ of men killing women – but his 2022 election promise of 500 new frontline domestic violence workers has so far been a monumental failure .
In March this year, only 17 of the 500 promised new positions had been filled, a dismal 3.4 percent.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that no state has gone unfulfilled with what is quickly becoming another Albanian broken promise.
Of the new frontline positions, 148 were promised for NSW, 111 for Queensland, 101 in Victoria, 50 in WA and 37 in South Australia.
The number of promised positions filled to date nationally is even lower than the 26 places promised to our smallest state Tasmania, which Daily Mail Australia understands has not seen a single frontline worker more than two years after the pledge was made must be received.
Anthony Albanese promised 500 new frontline domestic abuse staff at 2022 election, but only 17 positions have been filled
In March, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said she was confident she would ‘achieve the first milestone of 352 additional frontline workers by June 30 this year’.
From now on, she has two months to achieve that unlikely goal.
“The Prime Minister promised to deliver 500 new domestic violence support staff by 2022, and two years into his government’s term, there are hardly any left,” Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley told Daily Mail Australia.
“These are the frontline workers who help women escape violence, advocate for them through the courts and support their children.
“They are a vital lifeline in every way.”
The total cost for the budget – once all 500 employees actually start working to tackle domestic violence – was estimated at $165 million.
Mr Albanese spoke at the No More! National Rally Against Violence March in Canberra on Sunday
On Sunday, Albanese told a crowd protesting domestic violence that widespread change was needed at all levels of Australian society. He asked protesters to hold him “accountable” for his government’s actions.
Amid occasional cheers and interruptions, Mr Albanese said Australia must change its “culture”, “attitudes” and “justice system” to end the scourge of violence against women that has already claimed the lives of 26 women this year would have demanded.
“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 in Canberra.
“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.’