Tim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to follow on from the earlier speakers on this motion by raising my support for White Ribbon Day and its aspirations in dealing with violence against women. I spoke on this only last week in the lead-up to White Ribbon Day, on the need to make sure that we recognise domestic and family violence and that we are doing that we can to address it. I just want to use this opportunity, in light of the motion, to reiterate some of the statements I made in the earlier discussion about it last week, particularly to acknowledge the efforts of Goldstein residents who are taking a stand against domestic and family violence and working with the community to improve the state of our community in terms of visibility and awareness of the issues around family and domestic violence but also working to ingrain a culture of respect and action from the citizen up, because, as I am somewhat fond of saying, I believe very strongly that our country is made great when we have individuals who come together to form family and build community and ultimately country. It is that bit of citizen action, at both an individual and a family level, to contribute to the community that helps bind so much of the glue of our society, where citizens take care of each other. That is why I want to particularly acknowledge the efforts last weekend of Jodie Hickey, who not only organised a very significant community event that brought together hundreds of men and women across the Goldstein community to take a clear stand against domestic violence and family violence, but also, equally, raised money to support and raise the visibility of the cause and to support people who have experienced the consequences of domestic violence. I was very honoured and proud to be able to attend the event on Sunday and speak consistently with them against the issues of domestic and family violence.

Jodie Hickey's story does not come from just being somebody who is a community activist, although that is very important; it comes also from firsthand experience. In 2000, her best friend, Mary, was killed by her husband—that is, Mary was killed by her own husband—who is now on parole and confined to his home state of Queensland. It was that action that led Jodie, on the first anniversary of Mary's death, to come together with friends to raise a glass in honour of her friend's memory. Since then, Jodie's efforts to raise awareness of domestic violence have gained momentum in the Goldstein community. She brings people together on an annual basis not only to continue to remember the horror of the experience of Mary but also, as I have said already, to take action and to improve the state of the Goldstein community through awareness, visibility and individual citizen action.

Each year Jodie organises an afternoon tea, or an equivalent event, and brings people together. She organises raffle prizes and stalls and also finds other avenues to raise money for White Ribbon Day. This year's sellout event—it was definitely a sellout; there was not a spare seat in the room at Sandy by the Bay, the local function centre—was a high tea that marked the 16th anniversary of Mary's death. With increased numbers and excitement, I am sure Jodie will continue to make a contribution to raising awareness for White Ribbon Day. She has already raised considerable sums for the cause year on year. She should be enormously proud of that, but, equally, the Goldstein community should be proud because they have come together, put their hands in their pockets and made an effort to contribute to a cause that is so important.

In fact, Jodie has done this with the help of her two eldest sons, who are champions in fighting against violence against women. Their citizen action is truly inspirational. Jodie is, in the end, a tireless advocate for a society that respects women. I look forward to continuing to support her event in future years and continuing to encourage others who want to take on that responsibility to stand up against family and domestic violence, because that is what we need more of in this country—particularly from men.

While it was wonderful to have so many people at this sellout event, the people who were there were predominantly women. One of the key points I tried to make very strongly at this important event was that domestic violence is not just a women's issue but it is also a man's issue. We need more men who are prepared to stand up with confidence and pride to say that they are prepared to take action on this matter as well. That is why I was proud to be there. That is why I was proud to continue to support it. And that is why I am proud to continue to support Jodie's efforts and any other efforts in the Goldstein community to contribute to making and building the type of country we want.

I hope, through this resolution passing, that all members will share in its sentiments—that we want to build an Australian future free from violence and abuse against all people, but particularly one where men stand up for women and stand against violence against women. In the end, that is a significant way to combat directly the issues that White Ribbon Day seeks to highlight—how family and domestic violence is perpetuated—and to make sure we all show the leadership that we were elected to this parliament to fulfil.

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