Show your support for a well funded National Plan of Action to Stop Violence Against Women by bringing your family and friends to Kalinga Park for a free sausage sizzle.

Why do we need a National Plan of Action?

In Australia, 57% of women will experience violence at some stage in their lives. Current government responses are in adequate to deal with the scale of this human rights abuse.

Amnesty International is calling on the Australian government to implement a National Plan of Action (NPoA) to Stop Violence Against Women.

Amnesty International Australia's report, "Setting the Standard" found that inadequate funding is the most frequently cited impediment for the overall success of NPoAs in other countries.

Domestic violence alone costs Australia $8.1 billion per year.^[1] However, Australia's Federal Women's Safety Strategy spends approximately $9,300 per 10,000 people annually to address issues of violence against women. By comparison, the Republic of Ireland spends $62,570 per 10,000 people annually ^[2] on their national plan to eliminate violence against women, whilst the European average it $14,000 per 10,000 people annually.

^[1]Access Economics. For the Office of Women. 2004 "The cost of domestic violence to the Australian economy." ^[2]Council of Europe, Directorate General of Human Rights (2006) "Combating Violence against Women: Stocktaking Study on the Measures and Actions Taken in Council of Europe Member States" CDEG (2006) 3, p. 29

Act Now!

Treasurer Wayne Swan is your local Member of Parliament.

It is your right to let him know that you expect him to uphold his election promises. Here are some key points for your letter. 1. You and the members of your electorate care that up to 57 per cent of women in Australia experience violence during their lifetime. 2. You expect the Federal Government to uphold its election promise by allocating adequate funding in this year's budget for a National Plan of Action to eliminate violence against women. 3. The Australian government must take a long term, whole-of-government approach to the National Plan, which requires significant ongoing funding and a sustained leadership body.

Personalised letters are very effective. Discuss your concerns for your local area and what you thienk Wayne Swan can do as Treasurer to ensure that a National plan of Action is produced and adequately funded.

Send to:

The Hon. Wayne Swan
PO Box 182
Nundah QLD 4012

Email: Wayne.Swan.MP@aph.gov.au

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