The shocking statistics of family and domestic violence in our communities are known to us all. In my home state of South Australia, we have grieved the deaths of four women in a single week. It simply cannot continue. On Saturday 25 November we marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the commencement of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. This activism matters. Activism like this has driven changes like the introduction of paid domestic and family violence leave in this parliament, and the agreement that underpinned the national plan to end violence against women and children within a generation. This activism will continue to matter. I acknowledge those activists on the steps of Parliament House last Friday, who stood together on this issue.

As they did that, I attended the opening of the Place of Courage:Ripples Across SA artwork in Murray Bridge, which serves as a permanent tribute to victims and survivors of domestic and family violence in that community. We gathered with hope and a sense of cautious optimism that we can change the conversation around domestic violence and that these sorts of commemorations make a difference. I want to acknowledge the dedication of the Murray Bridge Council and others who worked to make it happen, like Councillor Karen Eckermann, Mayor Wayne Thorley, Linda Martin, Melani Bassham, Tammie Hamilton and, of course, the Oxenham family. But, of course, while activism matters, it has to be underpinned by and deliver real change. Everyone in our community has a responsibility to deliver that. We have to change the inequality that underpins violence if we are going to change the statistics.