Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has received fierce backlash on social media for her announcement of a new government position to “change men’s behaviour” in a bid to curb the epidemic of violence against women in Australia.
Allan announced his new parliamentary role on Tuesday, the first of its kind in Australia. appoint Tim Richardson MP as inaugural parliamentary secretary for men’s behavior change.
The Prime Minister said the paper demonstrates her government’s commitment to creating a “safer place for women and children” by working to end the “tragedy of the deaths of Victorian women at the hands of men”.
“This is the first position of its kind in Australia and will focus heavily on the influence the internet and social media have on boys’ and men’s attitudes towards women and building respectful relationships,” Ms said Allan in a statement.
Allan announced his new parliamentary role, the first of its kind in Australia, on Tuesday, appointing MP Tim Richardson as the inaugural parliamentary secretary for men’s behavior change.
Richardson shared his appointment in a post with his Instagram followers on Tuesday in which he said he understands the importance of the position.
Richardson shared his appointment in a post with his Instagram followers on Tuesday in which he said he understands the importance of the position.
‘The importance of this role is not lost on me. “We know now is the time to take action against men’s violence against women and it starts with us, men and boys,” Mr Richardson wrote.
‘We must make Victoria a safer place for women and children and work to end the tragedy of Victorian women’s deaths at the hands of men.
Richardson explained that he will work alongside Vicki Ward, Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence.
“This is not an easy job, but it is important and we cannot afford not to address it and waste a moment.”
Richardson, the member for Mordialloc, confirmed he will continue as Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention..
Prime Minister Allan’s announcement received negative reactions from social media users, with many calling the role a “joke”.
Many claimed the new role was divisive and stereotyped all men as perpetrators of violent acts against women.
‘Are you in favor of being fucking real? Do you despise men that much? Have you also observed the behavior of women? It works both ways,’ one woman commented.
‘We need a minister for men. No this! “This is more of a stance that will do nothing to solve the problem of violence,” a second person wrote.
Richardson (pictured with Prime Minister Allan) shared her appointment in a post on Instagram, stating that she aims to make Victoria a safe place for women and will work to end the tragedy of the deaths of Victorian women at the hands of men.
Another woman claimed the role was to “demonize men” and urged the government to focus on bail laws and keep offenders in jail.
‘You’re serious? What an absolute joke,’ she commented.
“You are demonizing men when a very small percentage are criminals and almost all of them are people who you have already released on bail or who the police already know.”
‘Stop blaming all men. Start by fixing bail laws and keeping offenders locked up.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Prime Minister Jacinta Allan’s office for more details about the new role.
2GB Radio presenter Ben Fordham said he thought the role was “kind of a joke” during his breakfast show on Wednesday.
Fordham said Prime Minister Allan’s new role leaned towards “collective punishment” that treats all men as enemies.
‘Most men don’t go around attacking women. We despise the men who do it, they are considered the lowest bastards,” Fordham said.
“The Victorian Prime Minister is simply leaning into this collective punishment… treating all men as enemies instead of attacking the rotten bastards who harm women.”
Fordham argued that the roles were not created for the behavior of indigenous people or lesbians even though domestic violence occurs at a higher rate in both groups.
He added that Victoria, which has a Minister for Women, did not have one for men, even though Australian men were three times more likely to take their own lives.
Prime Minister Allan’s (pictured) announcement received a barrage of criticism from social media users, with many claiming the role sounded like a “joke” and would “demonise men”.
Others praised Prime Minister Allan for his initiative, hoping the new role will help solve violence against women in Australia.
‘LISTEN LISTEN!!! Great decision Jacinta,’ one person commented.
Another wrote: ‘”Parliamentary Secretary for Men’s Behavior Change” may be a mouthful, but it’s a great initiative. “I look forward to seeing what approaches he takes to start making a difference.”
The rate at which men allegedly kill Australian women is significantly higher in 2024 than in recent years – one woman is violently murdered every four days.
Twenty-six women were reportedly murdered in Australia by their partners or ex-partners between January and April of this year, 12 more than during the same period in 2023.
In April alone there has been a spate of women murdered allegedly at the hands of men, including Molly Ticehurst, 28, Emma Bates, 49, Erica Hays, 30, and the horrific Bondi Junction knife attack that claimed the lives of five women.
On Friday, 63 years old. Mark Bombara shot and killed Jennifer Petelczyc, 53, and her daughter Gretl, 18, inside their home in Perthof the western suburbs, before turning the gun on himself. He was looking for his ex-wife.