Anthony Albanese denies male reporter’s question: ‘I deliberately focus on women before men’

Anthony Albanese confronted a male reporter and said he was prioritizing questions from women as he unveiled a new multibillion-dollar package to support domestic violence response services.

The Prime Minister spoke to the media on Friday alongside state and territory leaders following a meeting of National Cabinet, announcing a $4.7 billion package to strengthen frontline services for people fleeing domestic violence.

When Mr Albanese answered questions about the plan, he pointed to a group of reporters, but stopped one as he began his question.

“I’m going to go to women first and then to men on purpose,” he said, handing the floor to another journalist.

Under the plan, the federal government will contribute $3.9 billion, with states and territories providing the rest.

Approximately $800 million has been earmarked specifically to strengthen legal aid, with priority given to addressing gender-based violence.

“We know that a nationally coordinated approach is needed to address this national crisis,” the prime minister said.

“We must take action to ensure women are safe. These horrific and disturbing deaths and despicable acts of violence must be prevented.”

The National Cabinet has approved a $4.7 billion package to take a “nationally coordinated approach” to tackling domestic violence. Photo: NewsWire/David Beach

Friday’s announcement follows urgent requests from key frontline services for more support.

New analysis from Homelessness Australia shows that domestic violence survivors’ access to homelessness support services has deteriorated over the past five years.

In the 2022-2023 budget year, almost one in four (23.1 percent) people who needed short-term or emergency shelter did not have access to these services.

In 2017-2018, that percentage was 20.8 percent.

For those looking for long-term housing, the figures were more bleak: 71.1 percent had no access to services, while this percentage rose again to 65.3 percent in 2017-2018.

The legal aid agency, which provides more than 32,000 family law grants and more than 14,000 domestic violence lawyer services annually, paints a similarly bleak picture. According to the legal aid agency, the agency has had to replace people due to a capacity limitation.

Anne Hollonds, National Commissioner for Children, said a tough approach to crime was counterintuitive as it only increased the likelihood of reoffending.

“We prioritise politics over prevention,” she told AAP.

“It sounds good because it’s tough on crime, but it’s not evidence-based and that’s not going to make the community safer.”

Ms Hollonds said this was because incarcerated children had higher recidivism rates and learned more about criminal behaviour while in custody.

Extending prison sentences as a deterrent to crime was not effective because children aged 11 or 12 did not make calculations before committing a crime, she said.

“Children don’t base their decision to steal food or a car on the length of the punishment. That’s a ridiculous idea.”

According to the Commissioner, governments must recognise that children who commit crimes are not having their basic needs met, whether it is housing, family care or mental health.

There are restrictions on alcohol sales, delivery times and advertising and stricter regulations are needed to address the role of alcohol in domestic and sexual violence.