Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I further note that Barry Williams, on behalf of the Lone Fathers Association, signed an international petition opposing the UN report on violence against women—a petition which described the UN report as ‘ideologically anti-male’ and included the following statement:

… the result of such domestic violence programs has been to weaken families, bias divorce proceedings, and deprive children of contact from their fathers.

It also stated that the Lone Fathers Association recommends that all men entering a permanent relationship should insist upon a prenuptial agreement, commenting:

Remember if she is not prepared to sign such an agreement there must be a hidden agenda.

Does the government believe it is appropriate that a person representing an organisation with views that are openly hostile to women should be an ambassador for the National Men’s Health Policy? When offering him this senior, high-profile position, did the minister ask Barry Williams if he repudiates the views of the organisation of which he is president? If not, will the minister remove him from this position?