Latest news with #Plibersek
7NEWS
3 days ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
One in three Australian men report using emotional or physical violence
More than one in three Australian men admit to having used emotional or physical violence against their partners, according to a world-first study. The alarming results are an increase from one in four men 10 years ago, with federal Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek calling it a 'trend ... going in the wrong direction'. 'That equates to about 120,000 extra men every year in Australia using violence for the first time in intimate relationships,' she said. The Australian Institute of Family Studies' Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health — the largest study of its kind in the world — surveyed about 16,000 men aged 18 to 65 in 2013-2014 and again in 2023-2024, with a further 10,000 individuals added to the database in the second survey. It asked questions including whether participants had ever behaved in a manner that had made a partner feel frightened or anxious, or had ever hit, slapped, kicked or otherwise physically hurt a partner when angry. By the second study, 35 per cent of participants answered yes to one or both of those questions compared with 24 per cent in the first survey. About 9 per cent of those involved in the second survey admitted to physically abusing their partner. Plibersek said the study results were concerning. 'It looks at a large cohort of men over a long period of time and, what the research shows is that over about a decade, between the first report and the second report, the number of men who have ever used violence has increased from one in four to one in three,' Plibersek told the ABC. 'Obviously, that's a trend that's going in the wrong direction.' But she said the research did offer 'good insights', revealing men who had an affectionate father figure as a child were 48 per cent less likely to have committed intimate partner violence. And men with high levels of social support 'all the time' were 26 per cent less likely to say they had committed intimate partner violence. 'It shows that men who have good mental health, who have good social connections and social supports, and who have a good relationship with a father or father figure when they're young, are all less likely to use violence in their relationships,' Plibersek told the ABC. Conversely, mental health issues such as depression can increase the incidence of violence. Men who reported moderate or severe depressive symptoms in 2013-2014 were 62 per cent more likely to report committing violence by the second survey, while those with mild depressive symptoms were 32 per cent more likely. Those who had experienced suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts were 47 per cent more likely to have committed some form of violence against a partner. 'Extent of the problem' Australian Institute of Family Studies director Liz Neville said : 'This unique data set, following men over a 10-year period, confirms the extent of the problem. 'With an estimated 120,000 men starting to use intimate partner violence each year across Australia, we can see more clearly how delays in effective interventions can have devastating consequences. 'Each act of violence harms individuals, families, and communities. We hope these disturbing numbers provide the impetus for further action by governments at all levels, underpinned by evidence.' However the research indicates programs which support men to develop good quality relationships, social connections and to seek support could contribute to a reduction in partner violence.
West Australian
4 days ago
- Health
- West Australian
‘Very concerning': One in three Australian men admit to intimate partner violence, horror study finds
A major new study revealing intimate partner violence is on the rise despite efforts to counter it is 'very concerning', Tanya Plibersek has said. One in three men have admitted to abusing an intimate partner either emotionally or physically, according to the latest Australian Institute of Family Studies findings. It marks an increase from one in four about a decade ago. Reacting to the AIFS report on Tuesday, the Social Services Minister said it was clear the trend was headed in the 'wrong direction'. 'It looks at a large cohort of men over a long period of time, and what the research shows is that over about a decade, between the first report and the second report, the number of men who have ever used violence has increased from one in four to one in three,' Ms Plibersek told the ABC. 'That equates to about 120,000 extra men every year in Australia using violence for the first time in intimate relationships. 'Obviously that's a trend that's going in the wrong direction. The study found emotional abuse was the most common form of intimate partner violence. Thirty-two per cent of men in 2022 reported that they had made an intimate partner feel 'frightened or anxious'. Meanwhile, 9 per cent admitted to 'hitting, slapping, kicking or otherwise physically hurting' their partner when angry. But Ms Plibersek stressed the report offered 'some really good insights into what makes it more or less likely that men will ever use violence in an intimate relationship'. 'It shows that men who have good mental health, who have good social connections and social supports, and who have a good relationship with a father or father figure when they're young, are all less likely to use violence in their relationships,' she said. According to the report, men with high levels of social support 'all of the time' were 26 per cent less likely to say they had committed intimate partner violence. It also said men with strong relationships, with an affectionate father figure as a child, were 48 per cent less likely to say they had committed intimate partner violence. In contrast, men with depressive symptoms were 62 per cent more likely to abuse a partner when compared to others without these symptoms. 'I think a lot of people in recent years have reported social isolation and loneliness as bigger features in their lives,' Ms Plibersek said. 'It shows why it's important that we invest in mental health supports and we're doing that as a government — an extra billion dollars with Medicare walk-in mental health clinics, expanding the number of Headspace clinics, reinstating telehealth psychiatry, telehealth consultations. 'All of those supports make a difference. It shows why it's important that we are investing to help women as they leave violence with the billion dollars extra for the Leaving Violence (Program), the extra housing and extra billion dollars for that.' The government-funded study has tracked more than 16,000 boys and men since 2013 and added an additional 10,000 men in 2024-25. It is the first of its kind in Australia.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
‘Wrong direction': Grim trend rising in Aus
A major new study revealing intimate partner violence is on the rise despite efforts to counter it is 'very concerning', Tanya Plibersek has said. One in three men have admitted to abusing an intimate partner either emotionally or physically, according to the latest Australian Institute of Family Studies findings. It marks an increase from one in four about a decade ago. Reacting to the AIFS report on Tuesday, the Social Services Minister said it was clear the trend was headed in the 'wrong direction'. A new study has revealed one in three men have committed intimate partner violence. NewsWire / Diego Fedele Credit: News Corp Australia 'It looks at a large cohort of men over a long period of time, and what the research shows is that over about a decade, between the first report and the second report, the number of men who have ever used violence has increased from one in four to one in three,' Ms Plibersek told the ABC. 'That equates to about 120,000 extra men every year in Australia using violence for the first time in intimate relationships. 'Obviously that's a trend that's going in the wrong direction. The study found emotional abuse was the most common form of intimate partner violence. Thirty-two per cent of men in 2022 reported that they had made an intimate partner feel 'frightened or anxious'. Meanwhile, 9 per cent admitted to 'hitting, slapping, kicking or otherwise physically hurting' their partner when angry. But Ms Plibersek stressed the report offered 'some really good insights into what makes it more or less likely that men will ever use violence in an intimate relationship'. 'It shows that men who have good mental health, who have good social connections and social supports, and who have a good relationship with a father or father figure when they're young, are all less likely to use violence in their relationships,' she said. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says rising intimate partner violence is 'very concerning'. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia According to the report, men with high levels of social support 'all of the time' were 26 per cent less likely to say they had committed intimate partner violence. It also said men with strong relationships, with an affectionate father figure as a child, were 48 per cent less likely to say they had committed intimate partner violence. In contrast, men with depressive symptoms were 62 per cent more likely to abuse a partner when compared to others without these symptoms. 'I think a lot of people in recent years have reported social isolation and loneliness as bigger features in their lives,' Ms Plibersek said. 'It shows why it's important that we invest in mental health supports and we're doing that as a government — an extra billion dollars with Medicare walk-in mental health clinics, expanding the number of Headspace clinics, reinstating telehealth psychiatry, telehealth consultations. 'All of those supports make a difference. It shows why it's important that we are investing to help women as they leave violence with the billion dollars extra for the Leaving Violence (Program), the extra housing and extra billion dollars for that.' The government-funded study has tracked more than 16,000 boys and men since 2013 and added an additional 10,000 men in 2024-25. It is the first of its kind in Australia.
Epoch Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Hackers Breach myGov and Australian Tax Office Systems
Cybercriminals have breached the government services platform, myGov, and the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) systems, prompting warnings from senior government figures. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the National Office of Cyber Security and Cyber Minister Tony Burke were taking immediate action. 'If individuals are affected, they should contact the ATO,' she said. 'It is obviously a very concerning story, and we'll be using all of the resources of government to continue to make sure that Australians are safer online—actually one of the very few countries where cybercrime has decreased,' she added. Plibersek said the government had made significant investments in cyber defence but urged continued public vigilance. 'Australians, when they can, should use features like two-factor authentication, they should regularly update passwords, and they can continue to use myGov,' she said. Related Stories 11/7/2024 7/31/2024 Plibersek said that affected individuals should contact the ATO to resolve any discrepancies. 'I think it's not that complicated to show if the money's gone into the wrong bank account, that'll be very, very obvious,' she said. ATO Flags Fraud, Warns of Fake Websites While victims, accountants and the tax ombudsman have flagged vulnerabilities in the myGov and ATO platforms, the tax office maintains that its core systems remain secure. In a statement, the ATO confirmed it had detected 'unusual activity' likely stemming from identity theft. 'Identity information can be compromised in a variety of ways, including requests for information by malicious actors, phishing emails, large-scale data breaches, and individual device or home network hacking,' the ATO said. 'The ATO can confirm that its systems are secure, resilient and have not been compromised. The ATO continues to remain vigilant for new and emerging cyber threats.' Meanwhile, the ATO is also warning of bogus websites spreading misinformation about superannuation rules. Deputy Commissioner Emma Rosenzweig said there are no upcoming changes to the preservation age, which remains at 60 for anyone born after July 1, 1964. 'This is classic fake news,' Rosenzweig said. 'Always consider the source of information you see, and if in doubt go to trusted sources such as the ATO website, your super fund website, your registered tax agent or licensed financial adviser.' 'Beware of websites that might be trying to harvest your personal information such as your TFN, identity details or myGov login details,' she added. Confidence In Institutions At Stake: Nationals Leader Nationals leader David Littleproud said the federal government needed to reassure Australians that systems were secure. 'It's something we need to make sure we can give confidence to the Australian people,' he said. 'The government needs to be able to be transparent that they are actually on the job. Because if you don't have confidence and faith in the government institutions and the processes that keep our society together, then that erodes trust.'
West Australian
19-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Murray Watt pledges decision on key gas project by month's end after delays
Anthony Albanese's new environment tsar has pledged to make a decision on a major gas project in Western Australia by month's end after months delay. Murray Watt was sworn into the environment portfolio last week as part of the Prime Minister's post-election reshuffle, with former environment minister Tanya Plibersek moved to social services. Extending the North West Shelf Project is the first big-ticket item in front of the new Environment Minister and was delayed under Ms Plibersek, who drew ire from both environmentalists and fossil fuel industrialists. Senator Watt on Monday said it was 'certainly my intention' to make a call on the project by the May 31 deadline. 'I recognise that this project has been going through an approval process for quite some time and I think all parties want to see a resolution,' he told the ABC. 'Of course, there's really strong views on either side of this debate, and I can guarantee you that whatever decision I make, there'll be some people who'll be unhappy. 'That's the nature of the work that I'll be doing in this portfolio, but it is my intention to stick to the current deadline of May 31. 'I have had some preliminary briefings from my department about this last week. 'I'll be expecting some more formal briefings in the next few days so that I've got plenty of time to work through them and make that decision.' Mr Albanese intervened on several issues in Ms Plibersek's old portfolio, including halting a deal she struck with the Senate crossbench to pass legislation for a new environmental protection agency. He has since promised to set up a new agency. More to come
