Ash Ambihaipahar (Barton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to support this motion and acknowledge the member for Lingiari for bringing this significant matter before the House. At its heart, this motion speaks to something fundamental: the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children to live safely, free from violence. The 'Our Ways—Strong Ways—Our Voices' plan represents a significant step forward. It is the first dedicated national framework focused specifically on ending family, domestic and sexual violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Importantly, it has been developed in genuine partnership with communities.

That partnership matters. For too long, responses have been shaped without fully listening to those most affected. This plan reflects a different approach—one that places Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices at the centre. We are here because Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have led the way. They have spoken out, shared their experiences and called for action, and this plan answers that call. The government's investment into Aboriginal community-controlled organisations recognises that communities themselves are best placed to lead. These organisations are trusted, culturally grounded and deeply connected to the people they serve.

In my electorate of Barton, we see this leadership in action. Organisations such as Alawa Aboriginal Corporation, along with other First Nations services across the electorate and neighbouring electorates, play a vital role in supporting women and families. They deliver not just services but culturally safe spaces where people feel understood and supported. Recently I had the opportunity to meet with Shaylee Matthews and Charlene Mckenzie from Alawa Aboriginal Corporation. We spoke at length about the challenges facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experiencing domestic and family violence. What stood out in that conversation was just how complex these challenges are. It's not just about leaving a violent situation; it is about access to safe housing and about staying connected to culture and community, about trust in the system and about ensuring that support services are culturally appropriate and accessible. They spoke about the barriers women face: fear, isolation and the difficulty of navigating systems that are not always designed with their needs in mind. But they also spoke about strength—the strength of women who are seeking safety for themselves and their children, the strength of the communities coming together to support one another and the strength of Aboriginal led organisations working tirelessly, often with limited resources, to meet these needs.

This plan backs that work, because the statistics we are dealing with are deeply confronting. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience significantly higher rates of violence, hospitalisation and, tragically, loss of life due to family violence. These are not just figures; they represent real people, real families and real communities. Addressing this requires more than a one-size-fits-all response. It requires solutions that are designed with community, delivered by community and grounded in cultural understanding. That is what this plan seeks to do—from mobile outreach services and emergency accommodation to programs that support women to leave violence safely and rebuild their lives. These initiatives are practical and necessary. Equally important are the preventive measures—programs that support families early, strengthen connections to culture and engage men and boys in addressing the root causes of violence. Prevention is key to long-term change. This plan also aligns with our commitments under Closing the Gap, particularly in reducing family violence and supporting the wellbeing of children and families.

But, beyond frameworks and targets, this is about people. It is about ensuring that every woman feels safe, that every child grows up free from fear and that communities are empowered to lead their own healing. I also want to acknowledge Aunty Barbara Simms-Keeley, a Bidjigal, Gweagal and Wandi Wandi elder who has generously shared her life story with many people in my electorate of Barton. Aunty Barb spoke of not only the challenges that many Aboriginal women face in dealing with domestic and family violence but also the strength and the resilience from within the community, those in advocacy and community organisations and on the frontlines who have driven this work forward. Their voices are reflected in this plan. Our responsibility is to ensure that this is not just a plan on paper; it must translate into real outcomes, with funding reaching the ground, services being strengthened and communities being supported over the long term.

Debate adjourned.

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