Victoria’s Prime Minister Jacinta Allan has faced strong backlash on social media after her announcement of a new position in government to “change men’s behaviour” in a bid to curb Australia’s epidemic of violence against women.
Ms Allan announced the new parliamentary role – the first of its kind in Australia – on Tuesday appointment of Tim Richardson MP as the inaugural Secretary of State for Men’s Behavior Change.
The Prime Minister said this role demonstrates her government’s commitment to creating a ‘safer place for women and children’ by working to end the ‘tragedy of the deaths of Victorian women at the hands of men’.
“This is the first position of its kind in Australia – and will focus largely on the influence the internet and social media have on boys’ and men’s attitudes towards women and building respectful relationships,” Ms Allan said in a declaration.
Ms Allan announced the new parliamentary role on Tuesday – the first of its kind in Australia – and appointed MP Tim Richardson as the inaugural Parliamentary Secretary for Men’s Behavior Change
Mr Richardson shared his appointment in a post to his Instagram followers on Tuesday, saying he understands the significance of the role
Mr Richardson shared his appointment in a post to his Instagram followers on Tuesday, saying he understands the significance of the role.
‘The significance of this role is not lost on me. We know that now is the time to take action against men’s violence against women, and that starts with us, men and boys,” Richardson wrote.
‘We must make Victoria a safer place for women and children and work to end the tragedy of the deaths of Victorian women at the hands of men.
Mr Richardson explained that he will be working with Vicki Ward, the Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence.
“This is not easy work, but it is important, and we cannot afford not to tackle it and waste a moment.”
Member for Mordialloc, Mr Richardson confirmed he would continue as Secretary of State for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
Prime Minister Allan’s announcement received backlash from social media users, with many labeling the role a ‘joke’.
Many argued that the new role was divisive and stereotyped all men as perpetrators of violent acts against women.
‘Are you for real? Do you despise men so much? Have you also observed the behavior of women? It works both ways,” one woman noted.
‘We need a minister for men. Not this! This is more of an attitude that will do nothing to solve the violence problem,” a second person wrote.
Mr Richardson (pictured with Prime Minister Allan) shared his appointment in a post on Instagram, claiming he wants to make Victoria a safe place for women and is committed to putting an end to the tragedy of death of Victorian women at the hands of men.
Another woman claimed her role was to “demonise men” and urged the government to focus on bail laws and keeping offenders in jail.
‘You are serious? What an absolute joke,” she commented.
‘You demonize men when a very small percentage are perpetrators and almost all of them are people you have already released on bail or who are already known to the police.
‘Stop blaming all men. Start enacting bail laws and locking up offenders.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Prime Minister Jacinta Allan’s office for more details about the new role.
2GB Radio presenter Ben Fordham said on his breakfast show on Wednesday that he thought the role was ‘some kind of joke’.
Fordham said Prime Minister Allan’s new role leans towards “collective punishment” that treats all men as the enemy.
‘Most men don’t bash women. We despise men who do, they are considered the lowest of bastards,” Fordham said.
“The Victorian Prime Minister is only leaning towards this collective punishment… by treating all men as the enemy instead of targeting the bastards who harm women.”
Fordham argued that no roles have been created for the behavior of Indigenous people or lesbians, despite domestic violence being more common in both groups.
He added that Victoria, which has a minister for women, had none for men, even though Australian men were three times more likely to commit suicide.
Prime Minister Allan’s (pictured) announcement received a barrage of criticism from social media users, with many claiming the role sounded like a ‘joke’ and would ‘demonise men’.
Others praised Prime Minister Allan for her initiative, hoping the new role will help solve Australia’s violence against women.
‘HEAR HEAR!!! Great decision Jacinta,” one person commented.
Another wrote: ”Parliamentary Secretary for Men’s Behavior Change’ may be a mouthful but it is a great initiative. I look forward to seeing what approach he takes to make a difference.”
The rate at which men are reportedly killing Australian women is significantly higher in 2024 than in recent years, with one woman violently murdered every four days.
Twenty-six women in Australia were reported to have been murdered at the hands of their partners or former partners between January and April this year – twelve more than the same period in 2023.
In April alone there has been a spate of women killed, allegedly by men, including Molly Ticehurst, 28, Emma Bates, 49, Erica Hays, 30, and the horrific stabbing in Bondi Junction that claimed the lives of five women.
Friday 63 years old Mark Bombara shot and killed Jennifer Petelczyc, 53, and her 18-year-old daughter Gretl in their home, in Perth‘s western suburbs before turning the gun on himself. He was looking for his ex-wife.