The Hon TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
Minister for Social Services

SENATOR The Hon KATY GALLAGHER
MINISTER FOR FINANCE
MINISTER FOR WOMEN

The Hon GED KEARNEY MP
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE

The Hon REBECCA WHITE MP
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Media Release

Tuesday, 25 November 2025

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence:
Parliament House to be illuminated orange 

Today, the Albanese Labor Government renews its commitment to building a safer Australia - where every woman and child can live free from gender-based violence - as we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and support the United Nations’ global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

In Australia, one in four women have experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15.  

And one in five women has experienced sexual violence.

To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Parliament House will be lit up orange – a powerful, visible reminder of the lives impacted by family and domestic and sexual violence – and to remember the women and children we have lost to men’s violence.

The Albanese Government has invested more than any Australian government ever – more than $4 billion in frontline services, prevention initiatives, behaviour change and programs for children across government.

The Government has also:

• Made the Leaving Violence Program permanent, so women have the financial support they need to leave abusive relationships
• Introduced legislation to make sure our social security system can’t be weaponised by perpetrators of abuse
• Funded programs that intervene earlier with men who want to change their behaviours
• Invested $1.2 billion for emergency and transitional housing to ensure women can reach safety
• Invested a record $3.9 billion in legal services – with an extra $800 million for family violence legal services
• Taken action to deal with high-risk perpetrators – investing over $82 million to detect, monitor and intervene with repeat offenders
• Supported the recovery of children who have experienced violence, investing $81 million for services like child specific counselling
• Legislated 10 days paid domestic violence leave, so workplaces support women to stay financially secure and connected
• Made it illegal to fire someone because of their experience of domestic or family violence
• Launched an inquiry into domestic, family and sexual violence related suicide
• Established the National Higher Education Code to prevent and respond to Gender-based Violence in universities
• Implemented all the recommendations of the Respect@Work report
• Legislated a positive duty for employers to protect staff and customers from sexual harassment and abuse

The Government, working with states and territories, have made significant progress but we know there is more work to do.

Violence against women is by no means inevitable and it’s important to reflect today on action we can all take, not just to reduce the rate of violence, but to eliminate gender-based violence.

More information on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 is available on the Department of Social Services website.

More information on the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is available on the United Nations Women website.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek:

“Today we acknowledge victim survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence and remember the women and children who have been killed – too often, by men who claimed to love them.

“I also want to thank and acknowledge the thousands of frontline workers striving every day to keep women and children safe and to prevent this violence, and the women who have marched and campaigned for decades. 

“The Albanese Labor Government is proud to have invested more than any Government ever - over $4 billion - in keeping women and their children safe.

“There is more work to do, but record funding for frontline services, paid domestic violence leave, making the Leaving Violence Program permanent, housing and legal support for women escaping violence and programs to stop the violence at the start are making a life changing difference.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher:

“This year the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence is shining a light on digital abuse. In Australia, more than half of adults say they have been targeted by technology-facilitated abuse, and one in four Australian girls have experienced non-consensual online tracking, monitoring or harassment.”

“Too many women and children in Australia are still living in fear of men’s violence. Lighting Parliament House in orange is a powerful symbol that women’s safety is a national priority and that we will not look away from this crisis.”

“The 16 Days of Activism is a reminder that ending gender-based violence is not the job of one government or one service system. It requires all of us; governments, businesses, schools, communities and individuals to challenge the attitudes and behaviours that allow violence to continue.”

Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Social Services and Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Ged Kearney:

“All women and children deserve to live a life free from violence. Today, we honour and stand alongside victim-survivors as we reaffirm our commitment to ending all forms of gendered violence.

“This year’s theme: unite to end digital violence highlights the rapidly evolving nature of violence and how it is being used to harm women and children. The Albanese Labor Government is leading the charge with dynamic solutions to address technology facilitated abuse and harmful online content – but we know more needs to be done.

“From conversations at home and in the community, to workplace policies, services and front-line workers, and legislative changes in Parliament, ending gendered violence in Australia requires our collective efforts at every level. We cannot and will not look away.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Women, Rebecca White:

"Every woman and girl deserves to live free from fear. Today is a reminder of the women whose lives have been shattered by violence, and of the families and communities that carry that loss every day. We owe it to them to keep going.

“Eliminating gender-based violence will take every part of our community working together. Women deserve services that respond quickly and compassionately when they reach out. That’s why the Albanese Government continues to strengthen frontline support, expand access to crisis accommodation and invest in programs that stops violence before it starts.

“There is still much to do, but we are determined. Every woman has the right to safety, dignity and a life free from violence.”


ENDS

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au for online chat and video call services.

If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au

MensLine Australia Services are available if you are concerned about your wellbeing, relationships, and behaviour on 1300 789 978 or by visiting www.mensline.org.au

Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.