Abbott warms to violence summit idea

The federal government plans more funding to deal with domestic violence, as Tony Abbott said a bipartisan summit 'might help'.

The number of people taking their own lives has reached a decade-high in Australia. (AAP) Source: Press Association

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is set to announce more action to stop domestic violence and could back Labor's idea of a summit.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten asked Mr Abbott in parliament on Monday whether he would declare domestic violence a "national crisis", improve funding and host a summit.

"Maybe a summit might help, but what we really want is action ... (and) I will have more to say about this in the next few days," Mr Abbott said.