One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says domestic violence is a “two-way street” and women “shouldn’t put up with it”, while her colleague Barnaby Joyce has called for men to “be cool” and channel their inner James Bond after five women have allegedly been killed by men this month.
On the same morning a 16-year-old Perth boy was charged with allegedly murdering his mother and attempting to kill his sister, Ms Hanson was asked by 4BC about domestic violence, and said it was “wrong, but it’s also a two-way street”.
“I’m not saying that it’s just men, women can lose their cool as well … Everyone is under so much pressure and it’s really hard. I don’t think we communicate enough with each other,” she said.
“Domestic violence is a scourge but look … I’ve been through it myself in my life. And I just feel if you’re not in a house where you feel safe … Then you shouldn’t put up with it. If these women are getting abused by men out there, then don’t put up with it.”
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said Ms Hanson’s comments were “irresponsible and dangerous”.
“Senator Hanson has a voice and she is using it to send a message to victims that violence is their fault and to those that use violence that it’s excusable. We all experience pressures in life, violence is never the answer,” she said.
“Saying women should just leave completely misses the point. It’s the most dangerous time. It’s when they are more likely to face escalated or lethal violence.
“Senator Hanson should focus on how we better support survivors, rather than belittling them.”
Mr Joyce earlier told the same radio station the golden rule for men was “walk out before you lose your top”.
“It’s in everything we do. You haven’t got style. If you blow your horn in traffic, it means you’re not cool, it means you haven’t got control of yourself, it’s not stylish,” he told 4BC.
“Just be cool. James Bond is loved in the cinemas because he keeps it all together, and the blokes who lose their bottle have no style.
“Hitting a woman … is disgraceful, it’s disgusting. I’m just trying to start the metaphor … be attracted to people who can handle pressure. And style is not losing your mind with other human beings, and it starts in the traffic. Be cool.”
According to Australian Femicide Watch, 38 women have allegedly died by male violence already this year.
In addition to the Perth mother found dead on Tuesday, another four women have been allegedly killed by men this month: an unnamed teenage girl, 13-year-old Layla Jeffrey, new mum Jana Armstrong, and mum-of-two Lavanya Chappa.
The Queensland government has come under scrutiny for its slashing of domestic and family violence prevention funding by tens of millions of dollars.
Meanwhile, new research by Anglicare Sydney out on Wednesday found the cost for people fleeing domestic and family violence has risen by 71 per cent since 206.
Based on comparative analysis on the immediate costs of leaving including bond, moving truck rental and temporary accommodation, and the flow-on costs, the price has soared from $4098 to $7017.
Claire Dunlop from Anglicare said the figures were confronting.
“For many victim-survivors, leaving already takes enormous courage. What this research shows is that financial barriers are becoming another obstacle to safety. When housing costs, childcare, transport and everyday essentials keep rising, people can feel trapped between violence and financial insecurity,” she said.