Australian Federalism and Domestic Violence Policy-Making

Abstract

The influence of state architecture on gender policy and politics is an emergent strand of feminist research. This paper contributes to this research by undertaking a detailed case study of one specific gender policy area – domestic violence policy – in old federation Australia. Drawing on the experiences of the past decade, it confirms earlier research findings that demonstrate that under certain conditions, federal structures can influence the development of gender policy in positive ways, such as providing opportunities for ‘venue shopping’ and policy innovation. The paper engages, too, with recent research on Australian federalism and challenges the consensus about the centralised nature of the Australian federal system by demonstrating that in the area of gender policy, states and territories are more than just the implementation arms of the Commonwealth government. Sub-national governments continue to play an important and autonomous role in policy relating to women and therefore remain central sites for advancing gender equality.

Keywords:

• Australian federalism
• gender policy
• violence against women

Notes

¹An earlier initiative, No Respect, No Relationship, had created disquiet within the Coalition government, which prompted, at the last minute, its cancellation (see Costello 2009 for details).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Louise Chappell

Prof. Louise Chappell is an Australian Research Council Future Fellow at the School for Social Sciences and International Studies, University of New South Wales.

Mayet Costello

Dr Mayet Costello has a PhD from the University of Sydney and currently works in the New South Wales public sector.