Labour backs Kate and so should National

The National Party is so embarrassed about its failure to address the high level of violence against our women and children, it has refused to accept a statue of Kate Sheppard from the Women’s Refuge, Labour’s Women’s Affairs spokesperson Carol Beaumont says.

“Labour will stand with the Women’s Refuge when they march on Parliament today.

“Last Wednesday the Government was happy to receive the glass suffragette but just two days later Speaker David Carter said it was no longer welcome.

“It is highly ironic National is refusing the statue which was created to raise awareness of domestic violence and women’s issues.

“A Labour Government will take decisive and far-reaching action to address violence against our women and children.

“Labour will adopt an Action Plan to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Children.

“We also will provide $60 million over four years for family and sexual violence to support front-line services, primary prevention and education.

“Labour will reform the justice system to provide real justice to survivors while upholding the right to be presumed innocent. And we will review prosecution guidelines and the operation of protection orders.

“A Labour Government will ensure there is a unified effort across government agencies and NGOs towards addressing violence against our women and children. That’s why our action plan will be led from within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

“Labour takes this issue of domestic and sexual violence seriously. We won’t run and hide from it,” Carol Beaumont says.

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