A new advisory body has been established to help shape a future free from violence against women.
Minister for Women, Senator Marise Payne and Minister for Women’s Safety, Senator Anne Ruston announced the formation of the 19-member multidisciplinary National Plan Advisory Group, which is to inform the development of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.
Senator Payne said the Advisory Group members represented a range of groups across the Australian community, including culturally and linguistically diverse communities; Indigenous communities; LGBTQIA+ communities; children and younger people; and people with disability.
“The diverse backgrounds and expertise of the Advisory Group members will ensure we are drawing on wide-ranging ideas and bringing Australians with us as we build the next National Plan,” Senator Payne said.
“Contributions from the Advisory Group will be captured in a consultation report, which will also help to identify opportunities for development of the next National Plan,” she said.
Senator Ruston said the Advisory Group would work alongside the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council to ensure relevant Closing the Gap targets were embedded in the National Plan.
She said all Australians could share their views on the Plan until 31 July via an online questionnaire from the Department of Social Services, in partnership with the Office for Women.
Senator Ruston said Deputy Secretary of the Office for Women, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Alison Frame and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Social Services, Liz Hefren-Webb had been appointed as Co-Chairs of the Advisory Group.
The Department’s questionnaire and further information on the National Plan can be accessed at this PS News link.
