Women's safety advocates say domestic and gendered violence are being 'forgotten' during the federal election campaign, with the focus primarily on cost of living, inflation, and national security.
Gender violence and women's safety issues dominated parliament and the national consciousness in the last parliamentary term, as sexual assault allegations in Canberra and demands to tackle violence nationwide culminated in rallies around the country.
Thousands took to the streets for the March for Justice protests, including on Parliament House's doorstep, but it seems the politicians have all but forgotten it.
'Must be on agenda'
As the campaigning enters its fifth week, advocates say the lack of attention afforded gender violence amounts to ignoring a crisis.
They need to remember that we are here.
"We are the invisible women," said Sandra Creamer, CEO of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Alliance.
"Domestic violence, family violence, sexual violence has to be on the agenda."
She said that First Nations women's campaigning and strength can lead to real change if listened to by those in power.
"We know that we can be the leaders and the voice on some of these issues," the Waanyi and Kalkadoon woman told NITV News.
"They need to remember that we are here."
Sandra Creamer, CEO of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Alliance and Domestic Abuse survivor Source: NITV
Australia lagging on addressing violence
Noongar woman Dr Hannah McGlade, an expert member of the UN Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues, denounced the silence from both sides of politics.
"This should be an election issue. Women's lives, lives of children should matter more," Dr McGlade told NITV News.
"We should be hearing loud and clear what all the parties are going to do."
Dr McGlade said the policies and frameworks necessary to address violence against women are being neglected, while other countries ramp up their efforts to reduce violence against First Nations women.
Having just returned from the United States, where she attended a United Nations summit on global Indigenous issues, Dr McGlade said it was imperative Australia learn from more proactive nations.
"Australia really does actually need to work with those two nations, US and Canada, because they are quite in an advanced state compared to our efforts here."
Dr Hannah McGlade said violence against women should be an election issue Source: Sarah Collard
Promises, promises
Both sides of politics have pledged millions to women's safety and to address gendered violence against women and children.
The Coalition has pledged $1.3 billion towards women's safety, while slating $57.6 million to work with First Nations communities to tackle violence against women and children.
A further $26 million over four years will go to the Family Violence Prevention Legal Services programs.
Meanwhile, Labor is promising to establish a family violence and sexual violence commissioner, as well as hundreds of community workers to help in the sector.
They have also pledged $1.6 billion towards social housing for women and children fleeing violence.
Ms Creamer said more housing is desperately needed to ensure women and children have a safe home to rebuild their lives after violence.
"In this country, we're in a housing pandemic.
"Where are they going to go? With public housing, the houses and the lists are full everywhere."
