STEPHEN JONES MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT TREASURER
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES AND SUPERANNUATION
MEMBER FOR WHITLAM

SENATOR JENNY MCALLISTER
SHADOW CABINET SECRETARY
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE LABOR LEADER IN THE SENATE
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMMUNITIES AND THE PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
SENATOR FOR NEW SOUTH WALES

PETA MURPHY
MEMBER FOR DUNKLEY

It’s not good enough for the Government to “review” it’s decision to make women to fund their escape from domestic violence by raiding their superannuation savings.

Scott Morrison must dump this plan and rule out ever bringing it back.

Allowing at-risk women to take out $10,000 from their superannuation savings penalises them for decades to come.

It places them in an impossible choice between physical security today for them and their children, and financial security for the rest of their lives.

It creates a potential $10,000 trigger for abusers to perpetrate violence and extortion against their partners.

For years, Labor has warned the Government against this dangerous and ill-considered idea.

It is clear the Government rushed this idea out earlier this week as a political fix.

It knows the women of Australia are angry and it’s done little to improve their safety for eight years.

Instead of responding with a proper, well considered plan the Prime Minister reached for a political solution without thinking through the consequences for at-risk women.

If Monday’s March for Justice meant anything to this Prime Minister, he must for once put women’s interests ahead of his own political interests.

The time has come for him to join with Labor and commit to delivering paid domestic violence leave for women fleeing abuse.

He must commit to proper funding for housing and support services.

He must pledge to never make women pay for their own safety with their superannuation savings.