Victoria’s premier Jacinta Allan has been met with a fierce social media backlash over her announcement of a new position in the government to ‘change men’s behaviour’ in an attempt to curb Australia’s epidemic of violence against women.
Ms Allan announced the new parliamentary role on Tuesday – the first of its kind in Australia – appointing MP Tim Richardson as the inaugural Parliamentary Secretary for Men’s Behaviour Change.
The premier said the role demonstrates her government’s commitment to making a ‘safer place for women and children’ by working to end the ‘tragedy of deaths of Victorian women at the hands of men’.
‘This is the first position of its kind in Australia – and will focus largely on the influence the internet and social media have on boys’ and men’s attitudes towards women and building respectful relationships,’ Ms Allan said in a statement.
Ms Allan announced the new parliamentary role on Tuesday – the first of its kind in Australia – appointing MP Tim Richardson as the inaugural Parliamentary Secretary for Men’s Behaviour Change
Mr Richardson shared his appointment in a post to his Instagram followers on Tuesday in which he said he understands the significance of the role
Mr Richardson shared his appointment in a post to his Instagram followers on Tuesday in which he said he understands the significance of the role.
‘The significance of this role is not lost on me. We know that the time to act on men’s violence against women is now 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 deaths of Victorian women at the hands of men.
Mr Richardson explained he will work alongside Vicki Ward, the Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence.
‘This is not easy work, but it is important, and we can’t afford not to address it and waste a moment.’
Mr Richardson, who is the member for Mordialloc, confirmed he would continue as Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
Premier Allan’s announcement received backlash from social media users, with many labelling the role as a ‘joke’.
Many claimed the new role was divisive and stereotypes all men as perpetrators of violent acts against women.
‘Are you for f***ing real? Do you despise men that much? Have you observed women’s behaviour as well? It works both ways,’ one woman commented.
‘We need a minister for men. Not this! This is more posturing which will do nothing to solve the violence issue,’ a second person wrote.
Mr Richardson (pictured with Premier Allan) shared his appointment in a post to Instagram, claiming he aims to make Victoria a safe place for women and will work to end the tragedy of deaths of Victorian women at the hands of men
Another woman claimed the role was ‘demonising men’ and urged the government to focus on bail laws and keeping offenders in jail.
‘You’re serious? What an absolute joke,’ she commented.
‘You’re demonising men when a very small percentage are offenders and almost all of them are people you’ve already let out on bail or are known to police already.
‘Stop blaming all men. Start by fixing bail laws and keeping offenders locked up.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the office of Premier Jacinta Allan for more details about the new role.
2GB Radio host Ben Fordham said he thought the role was ‘some kind of joke’ during his breakfast show on Wednesday.
Fordham said Premier Allan’s new role was leaning into a ‘collective punishment’ which treats all men as the enemy.
‘Most men don’t go around bashing women. We despise men who do, they are considered the lowest scumbags,’ Fordham said.
‘The Victorian premier is just leaning into this collective punishment… treating all men like the enemy instead of targeting the rotten bastards who harm women.’
Fordham argued that roles were not created for behaviour by Indigenous people or lesbians despite domestic violence occurring 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.
Premier Allan’s announcement (pictured) received a barrage of criticism from social media users, with many claiming the role sounded like a ‘joke’ and would ‘demonise men’
Others praised Premier Allan for her initiative, hoping that the new role helps solve Australia’s violence against women.
‘HEAR HEAR!!! Great decision Jacinta,’ one person commented.
Another wrote: ‘”Parliamentary Secretary for Men’s Behaviour Change” might be a mouthful, but it’s a great initiative. Looking forward to seeing what approaches he takes to start making a difference.’
The rate at which men are allegedly killing Australian women is significantly higher in 2024 than in recent years, with one woman being violently killed every four days.
Twenty-six women were allegedly killed in Australia at the hands of their partners or former partners between January and April this year – 12 more than during the same period in 2023.
In April alone there has been a wave of women killed allegedly at the hands of men including Molly Ticehurst, 28, Emma Bates, 49, Erica Hays, 30, and the appalling Bondi Junction stabbing attack which claimed the lives of five women.
On Friday, 63-year-old Mark Bombara shot Jennifer Petelczyc, 53, and her 18-year-old daughter Gretl dead inside their home, in Perth‘s western suburbs, before turning the gun on himself. He was looking for his ex-wife.