Anti-domestic violence campaigner says ‘if Australia is being swamped by anything, it’s family violence’

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

The anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty has said Pauline Hanson’s comments on women making frivolous court claims and seemingly rationalising violence by frustrated fathers were ill-informed and disappointing.

“If Australia is being swamped by anything, it’s family violence,” the former Australian of the Year said.

The One Nation leader is facing criticism after using her first Senate speech to warn there would be more murders unless men were treated with more respect in the family court system. She also accused women of making flippant allegations against partners.

“Children are used as pawns in custody battles where women make frivolous claims and believe they have the sole right to the children,” Hanson said.

Pauline Hanson's maiden speech to the Australian Senate – full text Read more

“Children have two parents and, until we treat mums and dads with the same courtesy and rights, we will continue to see murders due to sheer frustration and depression and mental illness caused by this unworkable system.”

Batty said Hanson’s comments were disappointing and an example of a lack of understanding of the real threat of domestic violence.

“That idea is just another example of our victim-blaming mentality,” Batty said. “Turning family law issues into men versus women, or mums versus dads, does nothing but make complex situations more challenging for all involved.”

Meanwhile, the women’s minister, Michaelia Cash, has defended warmly embracing Hanson after her first speech to the upper house. Images of the hug were then widely shared on social media.

Cash says she was only showing the controversial Queenslander goodwill and that didn’t mean she necessarily agreed with statements made by anyone in the chamber.

“I will never justify the murder of a female or a male – that is unacceptable and especially in situations of domestic violence,” the minister told reporters in Canberra.

Cash earlier this year was handed a petition by Batty urging the government to address problems in the family law system that put children at risk of violence.