Victoria Appoints Parliamentary Secretary for ‘Men’s Behaviour Change’

Women hold signs referencing action against domestic violence during the Sydney International Women's Day march in Sydney, Australia, on March 7, 2020. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Victorian Labor Premier Jacinta Allan has announced a new state overseer for “men’s behaviour change” in Australia’s second most populous state.

The position will look into the role of social media and the internet, and how it influences the behaviour of men and boys.

The role of “parliamentary secretary” is a promotion from a regular member of parliament, and sits just beneath cabinet ministers.

In Victoria, a parliamentary secretary earns nearly $244,991, which includes a base salary of $198,839 plus an extra $46,152 for extra duties.

This salary is based on a determination on July 1, 2023 and could increase in the future. The role also includes an extra $3,558 in expense allowances.

Premier Allan said state member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson would become the first overseer of “men’s behaviour change” as part of an overhaul of secretary responsibilities on May 28.

She said the promotion would continue the government’s priority to make Victoria “safer” for women and children, and also to end the number 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.

Mr. Richardson was already working as parliamentary secretary for health infrastructure, mental health, and suicide prevention.

Going forward, he will drop the health infrastructure role, to focus on his new position.

Three other parliamentary secretaries, in infrastructure delivery, education, and emergency services were also announced by the premier.

Responding to news of his appointment, Mr. Richardson said he was excited to work alongside 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,” he said on X.

“We know that the time to act on men’s violence against women is now and it starts with us men and boys. 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.”

Co-founder of advocacy group, Not One More’s Niki Tarang Chawla, said he hoped to meet with MP Richardson “very soon” to discuss solutions for domestic violence.

Mr. Chawla lost sister Nikita in 2015 after she was stabbed to death by her husband in an extreme domestic violence case in 2015.

Victorian Government Heading to $188 Billion Debt

Meanwhile, the Victorian government has been working hard to shore up its electoral flanks after recent budget figures showed the state heading towards a projected debt of $187.8 billion by the 2028 financial year.

Budget papers show (pdf) the debt will rise from $156.2 billion in the 2025 financial year, to $169.2 billion in the 2026 financial year, and $179.2 billion in the 2027 financial year.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto said the budget was the culmination of a decade of financial mismanagement.

He said the government’s priorities were “all wrong” and it had “failed to change the direction” of the state.

“With record debt, record interest, record taxes, service cuts and poorer outcomes—it’s clear Labor cannot manage money and Victorians are paying the price,” he said in early May.