The recent deaths of two women and two girls in four days has once again sparked calls for action against domestic and family violence in Australia. This tragic cycle of violence and the subsequent hand-wringing and calls for a royal commission are all too familiar. But what's truly concerning is the apparent cycle of outrage and fatigue, fueled by the latest tragedy, and the inability of governments to implement lasting and effective reforms.
In my opinion, the knowledge gap is not the issue here. We already have more than 1,000 recommendations for addressing gender-based violence. The problem lies in the implementation gap. Governments struggle with the complexity of domestic and family violence, and the lack of sustained investment from the public purse makes it even more challenging to effect real change.
One thing that immediately stands out is the performative nature of government responses to tragedies. Governments often make populist announcements, but what's missing is the sustained investment needed to make a real difference. This raises a deeper question: why aren't we upset right now? Why were we so upset two years ago compared to now when we're seeing the same things?
From my perspective, the answer lies in the way we consume news. When tragedies are dramatized, people can lean into the horror and the urgency. But when we are confronted with allegations like this in real life, there's almost silence from our senior cabinet leaders and first ministers. This is where the cycle of outrage and fatigue begins, and it's a cycle that needs to be broken.
In Queensland, the alleged domestic violence murder of Jana Armstrong comes after the state cut tens of millions in funding and resources from its domestic violence response. This is a clear example of the implementation gap in action. The Queensland government seems to have abandoned critical parts of the taskforce's recommendations, and the domestic and family violence 'death review' advisory board has stopped reviewing all cases.
What many people don't realize is that the lack of a government-backed database tracking homicides and other statistics makes it difficult to monitor national progress. This is a critical issue that needs to be addressed. We can't keep saying the same things and expecting different results. It's time for a more comprehensive and sustained approach to addressing domestic and family violence in Australia.
