Fewer Words More Action On Family Violence Please Steve

ACT Social Services Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman has written to Minister Steve Maharey, calling on him to agree to an inquiry into the causes of family violence.

"The Minister's launch today of an 'action plan' on family violence is like so much of his work - sounds good and feels good, but avoids getting to the heart of the problem.

"I note from his statement that the Minister apparently sees the number one priority as raising public awareness of family violence.

"I say to the Minister, why doesn't he instruct Parliament's Social Services Select Committee to hold a public inquiry into the causes of family violence? The committee is certainly not swamped with work and could easily accommodate such an inquiry.

"Surely there could no better way of raising public awareness than through parliamentary hearings which are open to the public and which gather evidence from experts as to why we have developed such an appalling record of child abuse and family violence in this country.

"As a member of this committee I would be delighted to play a full and active role in such an inquiry.

"The Minister knows that his 'action plan' will not identify the root causes of the problem. If he is really serious about helping to reduce violence within our families, he will take up my suggestion ' or is it that the Minister doesn't really want to know what is causing the problem as it would make him and his Government look bad?

"I am writing to the Minister today to ask that he requests a select committee inquiry into the causes of family violence", Dr Newman said.

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