The following article contains details around domestic violence.

Last week, three Australian women and one girl were murdered, each one allegedly by a man known to them. It brings the total number of women killed by men in Australia in 2026 to 37.

This is not an anomaly. According to Sherele Moody, founder of Australian Femicide Watch, more than 1300 women and girls have been killed in acts of family or domestic violence since 2000. And the rate at which this is happening is only climbing. In 2024, almost two women were killed per week by a current or former intimate partner. Last week's deaths alone exceeded that average by more than double.

In 2023, the Australian Government launched the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, a decade-long strategy designed to prevent, respond to and ultimately end gender-based violence. Three years on, the question many Australians are asking is simple: if ending violence against women is a national priority, why do the numbers remain so devastating?

Where are we at on the current 'National Plan to End Violence Against Women'?

Australia is currently implementing the First Action Plan (2023–2027), the first stage of the government's 10-year framework. The plan focuses on four key areas: preventing violence before it occurs, intervening earlier, improving responses for victim-survivors, and supporting long-term recovery and healing. It also outlines 10 national priority actions spanning prevention, justice reform, workforce capability, perpetrator accountability and improved outcomes for First Nations communities.

Since coming to office in 2022, the Albanese Government says it has invested more than $4.4 billion to deliver the National Plan. According to the 2026–27 Women's Budget Statement, that funding has gone towards frontline domestic, family and sexual violence services, legal assistance, prevention initiatives and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. The government also says funding has directly supported around 1,400 organisations and helped approximately 450,000 people experiencing violence across Australia.

Advocates argue progress has not kept pace with the scale of the crisis

The evidence is in the numbers. Frontline organisations say better funding is needed more urgently than ever before. DVConnect, for example, a service that supports Queenslanders impacted by domestic, family, and sexual violence, says it responds to a call every two minutes. In a recent statement, it urged the government for better funding: “It’s critical that governments continue to invest in domestic and family violence services, particularly those operating on the frontline of this crisis." Alarmingly, however, Queensland's 2026–27 budget revealed a $40 million cut from the state's DFV prevention program.

A similar sentiment was reflected in New South Wales. Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW), the state's peak body for domestic and family violence, says despite some investment from the government, progress is challenged by chronic underfunding, particularly in regional areas. "Regional services alone […] need two times more funding, and in a remote organisation they need nine times more funding than a metro service," CEO Delia Donovan told ABC News.

What about a royal commission?

There are arguements both for an against a royal commission into Australia's femicide epidemic, though what most can agree on is that this is a complex problem that is unlikely to be solved by one singular measure.

Sherele Moody has been vocal in advocating for a royal commission, telling SBS, "It would lay bare the systemic failures that underpin the violent deaths of women and girls, and the only way we can understand those failures is to listen to the stories of the families who've lost victims," she said.

"We'd look at the reality of the funding levels that we need. We are nowhere near the funding levels that should be in place. We'd look at the flaws in the legal system, in the policing system."

Moody's petition for a royal commission has garnered support from nearly 130000 Australians via an online petition so far.

MP Zali Stegall echoed the same sentiment in Parliament recently, saying, "In recent times, federal governments have called royal commissions into veteran suicide, aged care, anti-Semitism and social cohesion. Last year, the Prime Minister said Australia faced a domestic violence crisis, with one woman being killed every four days. Will the government elevate the safety of women and children to the same level of urgency and attention by calling a royal commission into femicide and domestic violence?"

But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed the possibility. In an interview on Hobart's Hit 100.9, he said, "There's calls for a royal commission about everything."

He continued, "We know what's required here. We know that there's too much violence against women... And we need to get on with action."

National Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence commissioner Micaela Cronin agreed that a royal commission would only delay action.

"I understand the call and I understand what's behind it and I am enormously supportive of the work of Sherele Moody and others that are advocating for this. It's complicated," she told SBS.

Support is available

If you or someone you know is in need of support, 1800RESPECT is a 24/7 hotline service for those who have experienced sexual abuse, assault or domestic family violence and need support or counselling.

You can also access mental health services like the below:

Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Headspace on 1800 650 890

Feature image by Rad Pozniakov via Unsplash.