Abbott pledges $100m to fight 'terrible curse' of domestic violence

Violence against Indigenous women and those from culturally diverse backgrounds is one of the main focuses of the government’s new $100 million action plan to address domestic violence across Australia.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott launched the Second Action Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children this morning, stating that such violence is "never ever" excusable.

Mr Abbott said there would be a "particular focus on stopping violence against in women, women from culturally diverse backgrounds and women with a disability".

"This is where urgent action is needed and progress does need to be made," he said.

The plan will include $3.3 million to develop and test a prototype for a National Domestic Violence Order Scheme and $1.7 million to build a more consistent basis from which to gather, analyse and use data on all aspects of violence against women and their children.

Mr Abbott described domestic violence as a "terrible curse" which presented a challenge for all levels of government.

In a statement issued following the announcement, the Prime Minister’s office outlined the approximately $200 million which has been committed to the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children between July 2009 and June 2017.

Read the statement in full below.