"Because ... violence against women begins with disrespecting women. And so this is a big cultural shift." Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Minister for Women Michaelia Cash and chairman of the Advisory Panel on Reducing Violence against Women and their Children Ken Lay. Credit:Eddie Jim This year alone, more than 60 women have been killed by a partner or family member. One in six Australian women have experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner. "Violence against women is one of the great shames of Australia. It is a national disgrace," Mr Turnbull said. He also said it should be "unAustralian" to disrespect women.

"Let me say this to you: disrespecting women does not always result in violence against

women. But all violence against women begins with disrespecting women," Mr Turnbull said. Australian of the Year 2015 Rosie Batty. The Prime Minister made his rallying cry while announcing $100 million in federal funding to help stop violence against women. The package, which was signed off by his new cabinet earlier this week, includes funding to trial GPS trackers for perpetrators, special safe phones for victims and other measures - like CCTV cameras - to boost the security of women at home. There is also additional funding for Indigenous family violence services, 1800 RESPECT and MensLine and a program which teaches school students about respectful relationships.

Domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty, whose has advised on the reforms was emotional on Thursday at their launch. Violence against women is one of the great shames of Australia. It is a national disgrace "We finally are starting to hear from the leaders of our country that they are addressing this issue, that they recognise the responsibility they have to lead our society, our communities, by speaking the language we need to hear," the 2015 Australian of the Year said. "We have still a long way to go, but by recognising the gender issue that exists ... that sends the message far and wide." Minister for Women Michaelia Cash described the emphasis on respect for women as a "gamechanger".

The Abbott government was due to make a major announcement on domestic violence at the end of the week that Tony Abbott was dumped from the leadership. It is understood the funding package announced on Thursday is similar to the one Mr Abbott was to announce. Funding 'not enough' But the $100 million package received a cautious welcome from some groups on Thursday. Anti-domestic violence group, Fair Agenda described the announcements as "a good start but they're not enough".

In a recent report, Fair Agenda itemised more than $300 million worth of funding that is needed to plug service gaps. "The federal government still isn't providing enough funding for critical frontline services like emergency accommodation and community legal centres. Or services to stop abuse - like men's behaviour change and primary prevention programs," executive director Renee Carr said. Federal funding for community legal centres, where family violence victims often turn for help, is expected to fall from about $42 million to $30 million from 2017-18, according to budget papers. The National Association for Community Legal Centres said that with a third of their work taken up with domestic violence, they were currently forced to turn away more than 150,000 people a year. "The funding announced today is expected to increase some capacity, but thousands of women still won't be able to access the legal assistance they need to escape abuse," National Association for Community Legal Centres spokeswoman Rosslyn Monro said.

The Tara Costigan Foundation - set up in the memory of a Canberra woman who was killed earlier this year - said an overall strategy was missing. "There is still no strategy to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive approach that addresses family violence from the exposure of children, through to the acceptance of violence as normal or acceptable, and finally to crisis services and then to programs that help people rebuild their lives," chief executive Michael Costigan said. with Jane Lee 1800 Respect - the National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service - can be reached on 1800 737 732 Follow us on Twitter