- Read our full feature examining domestic violence in Australia here.
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- He almost killed me: Migrants left trapped in domestic violence
- Budget cuts hurting domestic violence victims, Senator says
Mr Abbott also announced the establishment of an Advisory Panel on violence against women.
Speaking in Melbourne, he said family violence would be on the COAG agenda as part of a push for a national approach.
“I will ask COAG to urgently agree this year on action on a national domestic violence scheme,” he said.
“I would like an agreement to be well and truly in place by the end of the year.”
If adopted, a scheme will mean domestic violence orders issued in one jurisdiction will be recognised nationwide.
‘You’ve got a little piece of paper that you’ve battled to get’
Mr Abbott also met with retiring Victorian Police Commissioner Ken Lay and Australian of the Year Rosie Batty in Melbourne on Wednesday to discuss the “very serious matter” of domestic and family violence.
Ms Batty’s son Luke was killed by his father Greg Anderson at Tyabb cricket ground, south east of Melbourne, last year.
In an earlier interview with SBS, Ms Batty said she had taken out an intervention order against her 54-year-old former partner 18 months before the murder, but there had been insufficient monitoring by authorities.
“You are a five foot three woman doing the best she can and really that’s it,” she said.
“You’ve got a little piece of paper that you’ve battled to get that everyone hopes keeps you safe.”
Both Ms Batty and Mr Lay will join the Advisory Panel on violence against women as founding members.
Mr Abbott said the development of national standards for how authorities intervene against perpetrators and hold them accountable will be a priority for the panel.
“Every week in Australia a woman is killed by a current or former partner and one in three women over the age of 15 experience physical violence in their lifetime,” he said.
“Important work is already being done to prevent violence and assist women. I commend those who are contributing to these efforts, however, the current system is fragmented.
“We must ensure systems across Australia work effectively to provide better, more integrated support to women and we must simplify the complex maze of services victims of domestic and family violence are expected to navigate.”
Calls for national Royal Commission
The Victorian Government announced a Royal Commission into family violence last year, with sitting due to begin in February.
Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten has also called for nationwide Royal Commission into family violence.
Mr Shorten said his party would be “prepared to consider” the option, when speaking to media on Australia Day.
“There is a great Australian silence about family violence in this country,” he said.
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