The federal government has announced a $100 million package committed to combatting Australia's domestic violence crisis, with prime minister Malcolm Turnbull calling violence against women a "national disgrace."
Accompanied by minister for women Michaelia Cash, Victorian police commissioner Ken Lay and Australian of the year Rosie Batty, Turnbull spoke of several women who have been victims of domestic violence in Australia.
"Already this year, 63 women have been killed by their partners or a family member. In New South Wales, in the last three days, three women have been killed in these circumstances and one baby," he said.
"Three incidents in three days. This is a disgrace. Now, the challenge that we face is addressing the consequences of this violence and making women safer on the streets, safer at home, and safer online."
The package includes funding for the Safer At Home program, which gives women better access to CCTV security systems, panic buttons, GPS technology and mobile phones.
There will also be more funding for training of police and emergency service personnel so they can better respond to domestic violence situations. $2 million has been allocated to Men's Line for men seeking help to deal with violence issues.
$15 million will be spent combatting violence in remote and Indigenous communities and $30 million will be spent on a national campaign raising awareness of family violence.
Cash also noted that much of the government's focus will extend beyond domestic violence to issues of gender equality.
"Within his government, respect for women is going to be a number one priority. I truly do believe that is going to be a game changer in this country," Cash said.
Prime minister Turnbull said that domestic violence would only be eliminated once the conversation around gender equality and respect for women comes to the fore.
"Disrespect of women doesn't always end up in violence against women but all violence against women begins with disrespect of women."
The $100 million package is not expected to affect the budget bottom line because much of the money was allocated in the last budget under a contingency reserve.
Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten yesterday unveiled his party's $70 million package to combat the crisis.
The Labor initiative includes $47 million for frontline legal services to assist women in need, $15 million to make women safer at home using CCTV, GPS and security technology and $8 million to keep track of potential perpetrators.