Ms LEY (Farrer—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (09:25): The coalition welcomes the announcement that small-business employees now have a new right to 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave. This is a good thing, and we support it. This new support builds on measures put in place by the former coalition government, including passing historic legislation in December 2018 enshrining the five days of unpaid family domestic violence leave in the National Employment Standards. I'm proud of being part of a coalition government that took strong action when we were in government on the issue of women's safety, and we expect that to be continued. We delivered landmark funding of $5.5 billion for women through our two women's budget statements. In 2021-22, we delivered $3.4 billion in our women's budget statement, and we delivered $2.1 billion the following year. This included $1.3 billion to drive change for women's safety and additional funding to increase women's workforce participation, support women in leadership and improve health outcomes for women and girls in Australia. Improving the safety of women and girls should be above politics in this parliament. We will continue to work with the government to help keep women and children safe. It is important to hold all governments to account for their pledges on domestic violence because, while this statement today is about a welcome change to important support, we need to end the violence; we need to stop women being murdered. We want to live in a society where women do not need to rely on family and domestic violence leave. Right now, we're not seeing the improvements we need to be seeing. We're 30 weeks into 2023, and we are seeing the numbers get worse. At least 38 women have been killed this year due to family and domestic violence, including nine in a recent 16-day period. That is a national disgrace, and, frankly, we're not talking about it nearly enough. More Australians have had a meaningful debate about Barbie versus Oppenheimer than about respectful relationships and stopping domestic violence. We all need to do better. According to advocacy group Our Watch, on average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner in Australia. There were 135 people killed due to domestic and family violence last year, an increase of 27 per cent from 2021. That was a further 29 lives lost. Today we have seen the government note that it has increased family and domestic violence leave. This is a good step forward. In no way am I trying to be political in making the following observations, but we cannot forget that, with great fanfare, the Albanese government pledged to end domestic violence within a generation. We are yet to see how that will be achieved. In fact, we're well over a year into this new government and the statistics are getting worse, not better; more women are dying, not less. The first action plan under the national plan has still not been delivered, despite it being delayed from early 2023 to this month. The Albanese government promised to create 500 new frontline roles to support women in crisis. To date, we are yet to see these critical community workers on the ground, particularly in rural and regional communities. So, today, the statement by the Minister for Social Services is well received, as women's safety is a national priority. But it is actions, not statements, that save lives. We will work constructively with the government on any measure that will make a difference in this space, but we have an obligation to the women and children of Australia that, when a government makes a commitment, they follow through. I'm not here to just make up the numbers and applaud the government ministers; I'm here to hold this government accountable for its promises and its performance. Those opposite made strong and worthy about ending domestic violence but are yet to back that up with a plan. We welcome the start of family and domestic violence leave, but, on behalf of the women and children of Australia, we call on the government to do more.