The national peak body for victims of domestic violence is calling on the Abbott government to establish a royal commission into domestic violence, arguing a national inquiry is needed to focus on prevention measures.
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This comes as Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women Michaelia Cash downplayed the idea, suggesting it was unnecessary.
When asked if the federal government would follow the Victorian government and establish a royal commission into domestic violence, Senator Cash told Radio National on Tuesday that while "you should always be open to considering new ideas ... in relation to a royal commission, this government already accepts the evidence that we have an epidemic when it comes to violence against women and children."
But Women's Services Network Australia chair Julie Oberin, who represents women's refuges, safe houses and information services, described a national royal commission as "necessary".
Noting that a lot of service delivery was done by the states and territories, she said a a federal inquiry should focus on prevention as well as what social change was needed to stop the violence.
Ms Oberin described domestic violence levels as "a national disaster".
"It's ridiculous what's happening at the moment," she said, adding that royal commissions should also be held in all states and territories, given that each has their own particular system.
On Tuesday, Senator Cash agreed with the assessment of Australian of the Year Rosie Batty that the nation is in the grip of a "serious" family violence "epidemic", repeating the statistics that one in three women over the age of 15 will experience domestic violence, while every week a woman is murdered by their current or former partner.
But rather than hold a national inquiry, Senator Cash said that governments and the community needed to concentrate on the "practical steps" that can address domestic violence.
Here, she pointed to the government's national action plan to reduce violence against women and children, which was introduced under the Gillard government and updated by the Abbott government last June.
The government has set aside $100 million over four years to implement the plan, which Senator Cash described as a "significant investment".
White Ribbon chief executive officer Libby Davies cautioned that while her organisation was supportive of the current Victorian royal commission and did not oppose the idea of a federal one, there had already been "many inquiries over the years".
Noting that royal commissions "cost a lot of money," Ms Davies said that it was important to "ensure that we continue to invest our scarce resources into what we know is working".
Ms Davies said funds needed to be committed to better resourcing working with young people and primary prevention programs.
Labor spokeswoman for women Claire Moore said the opposition was "certainly prepared to consider a royal commission because domestic and family violence is a national issue".
