Centre Director of Wagga Women’s Health Centre Johanna Elms presented Member for the Riverina Michael McCormack with over 300 letters from the community voicing their concerns about escalating domestic violence. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Wagga residents have spoken with their pens, writing over 300 letters to Federal MP Michael McCormack and State MP Dr Joe McGirr to take a stand against domestic violence.
The letters, written by attendees at Wagga’s No More: A National Rally Against Violence, voiced concerns about the growing number of domestic violence-related deaths and charges in Australia, and the lack of funding for organisations like Wagga Women’s Health Centre.
Centre Director for Wagga Women’s Health Centre Johanna Elms presented Mr McCormack and Dr McGirr with the letters ahead of the emergency National Cabinet, which will be held today (1 May).
Ms Elms explained that over 1000 people attended the rally at the Victory Memorial Gardens on Sunday (29 April). Since the event, over 300 people have penned a letter asking for the region’s leaders to stand against domestic violence and voice the people’s concerns on the matter.
Members of Rotary and Wagga Women’s Health Centre asked Mr McCormack to make the community heard in the federal parliament. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
“The letters raise concern and demonstrate that men and women of the Riverina have identified domestic and family violence as something that they are really worried about and want action on,” Ms Elms said.
“It’s for victim-survivor services but also the users of violence services. Men need access to support in a timely manner. We know that the waiting list for the use of domestic violence services is exponential, as is for the services of the Women’s Health Centre.
“It also calls for increased education of first responders.”
Ms Elms explained that the issue at hand isn’t just linked to funding but to how society views domestic violence as well.
“It’s a cultural issue that takes individual-to-individual human conversations, which we can all start at home, at the workplace and in our families and homes. It’s as simple as not laughing at a joke, which really makes a difference in changing culture.”
Mr McCormack agreed.
State Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr was also presented with letters and asked to voice the concerns of the Wagga community at the state level. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
“It starts at home, it starts at school, it starts in the workplace and it starts in the community,” Mr McCormack said.
“What we saw on Sunday is that the community does care but is also concerned about how Wagga Wagga approaches this.
“The community is hurt, and the community is angry. You can be certain that I’ll be making sure these letters are sent to both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Women’s Minister [Katy Gallagher] ahead of tomorrow’s [May 1] National Cabinet.
“I hope that the National Cabinet comes up with some solutions, not just talking.
“They aren’t all on the same political bend and sometimes politics do get involved in this, but this has to be above politics.”
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