Rosie Batty hopes successor will continue work to end violence against women

Outgoing Australian of the Year Rosie Batty says it's important the movement to stop violence against women continues.

Domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty at an Australian of the Year morning tea at The Lodge in Canberra on Monday, Jan. 25, 2016. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

Domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty at an Australian of the Year morning tea at The Lodge in Canberra on Monday, Jan. 25, 2016. Source: AAP

As she prepares to bow out as Australian of the Year, the woman credited with putting domestic violence on the national agenda hopes her successor will pick up where she left off.

Rosie Batty says Australia still struggles to call out domestic violence for what it is - men's violence against women.

"We're still trying to soften that by describing it as family violence or domestic violence," she told reporters in Canberra on Monday ahead of her valedictory speech.

Ms Batty believes former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick is the woman to keep the conversation going.

"She's already doing more than anyone in this space."

She also took a swipe at former Labor leader Mark Latham, who has accused her of demonising men.

Ms Batty says she'll continue working to keep the momentum going, through her advocacy work and the Luke Batty Foundation, set up to support victims of violence after her son was killed by his father at cricket practice.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Monday announced the government would provide $500,000 over two years to support the work.

For now though, she'll be taking a break, trekking in India. Her advice to the winner: "Be bold, be brave. This is an amazing platform."


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Published 25 January 2016 2:05pm
Updated 25 January 2016 2:27pm
Source: AAP


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