‘Women before blokes’: PM shuts down reporter

Anthony Albanese shut down a male reporter, saying he was prioritising questions from women while unveiling a new multi-billion dollar package to support frontline services fighting family violence.

Speaking to media alongside state and territory leaders on Friday after a convening of National Cabinet, the Prime Minister announced a $4.7bn package to bolster frontline services for people fleeing family violence.

When taking questions on the plan, Mr Albanese pointed to a cluster of reporters, but stopped one as he began his question.

“I’m deliberately going to women before blokes,” he said, giving the floor to another journalist.

Under the plan, the federal government will pitch in $3.9bn, with states and terrtiories picking up the rest.

Some $800 million will go specifically toward bolstering legal aid services, with a priority on responding to gender-based violence.

“We know that a nationally coordinated approach is required to address this national crisis,” the Prime Minister said.

“We must act to ensure women are safe. These horrific and disturbing deaths and vile violence must be prevented.”

Friday’s announcement comes amid urgent pleas from critical frontline services for more support.

Legal Aid, which gives more than 32,000 family law grants of aid and 14,000-plus duty lawyer services for domestic violence a year, has painted a similarly grim picture, saying it has needed to turn people due to capacity limit.

Meanwhile, new analysis from Homelessness Australia revealed domestic violence victims’ access to homelesseness support services has worsened in the past five years.

In the 2022-23 financial year, nearly one in four (23.1 per cent) in need of short-term or emergency accommodation had missed out on services.

In 2017-18 that figure was at 20.8 per cent.

The figures were bleaker for people seeking long-term housing, with 71.1 per cent unable to access services, another increase on it 65.3 per cent reported in 2017-18.

More to come.