Zali Steggall MP

Hello everyone,

Thank you for standing up to demand the Albanese government launch a royal commission into the killing of Australian women and girls. By adding your name to the petition, you are refusing to accept political inaction on this national tragedy.

Like so many Australians, I am heartbroken that so many women and children continue to lose their lives to violence. Some 42 women have allegedly died as a result of violence this year, according to Australian Femicide Watch. Each death represents a precious life, a person who should still be here. It represents a family and community left grieving. We simply cannot accept this travesty as normal.

That is why I have repeatedly called on the government to hold a royal commission into femicide and domestic violence. I have said it in parliament, in the media, in meetings with government ministers and when out in the community. I will continue to say it loudly.

As a family law barrister, I’ve seen firsthand how Australia’s legal system has failed women and children. But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed my calls, and the calls of so many of you. He says a royal commission does nothing but “fund lawyers”. He says Australia already knows what causes domestic violence and what to do about it.
The Prime Minister simply does not get it. He is dismissing the thousands of Australian women demanding safety and respect - and dismissing the almost 145,000 people who have so far signed this important petition.

I've heard people ask if yet another inquiry into domestic violence is needed. It's a fair question. Many reviews and reports have been produced over many years, and many excellent recommendations have been made. But women and children are still being killed. We must ask ourselves: why isn't the system working? Why are governments still not acting quickly and boldly enough?

A royal commission would have the powers to compel evidence. It would unify the patchwork of many recommendations already made – and hold authorities accountable for implementing them. It can examine gaps in our legal system, policing, health services, housing, child protection and family law. And it can interrogate systemic breakdowns and government inaction on key drivers like alcohol and problem gambling.

In recent years, royal commissions have been held into veteran suicide, aged care, and anti-Semitism and social cohesion. Why is the killing of women and children not given the same level of urgency? Why does the Albanese government refuse to make domestic violence a first-order national priority?

There are no simple solutions. But good policy starts by listening to people and following the evidence. When a problem exists, we must ask hard questions and make meaningful reforms. A royal commission into domestic violence is a vital step towards delivering that.

It gives me great hope to see so many Australians refusing to accept the status quo. Your voices matter. Public pressure creates change and tells our leaders that we expect them to act. We owe it to every woman and child who has been lost, every survivor who has shared their story, and every family and community in mourning.

Thank you for standing up for change.

Zali Steggall MP
Community Strong MP for Warringah