However, the exclusion of a detailed discussion of child safety at the national cabinet meeting means there is no way to hold anyone to account for failed policies, says Anne Hollonds, the National Children’s Commissioner.

The commissioner said politicians’ rhetoric about tackling crime and threats to lock children up was counterintuitive because it only made them more likely to re-offend.

Anne Hollonds, the National Commissioner for Children, says policy is more important than prevention. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

“Politics is more important to us than prevention,” she told AAP.

“It sounds good because it sounds tough on crime, but it’s not evidence-based and it won’t keep the community safe.”

She explained that this is because children behind bars have high recidivism rates and learn more about criminal behavior.

Extended prison sentences as a deterrent against committing crimes have proven ineffective because children aged 11 and 12 did not do the math before committing crimes, she added.

“Kids don’t make decisions about whether to steal food or a car based on how long their sentence will be—that’s an absurd notion.”

The Commissioner said governments should recognise that crimes committed by children mean that their basic needs, such as housing, family care and mental health, are not met.

Legal aid services across Australia are calling on the national government to allocate $317 million a year to meet demand for family law and domestic violence services, but women who have been subjected to violence are being turned away.

Melanie Alexander, a senior lawyer at Legal Aid NSW, said most of her six to 10 clients a day faced “a real risk of harm to themselves or their children”.

Women’s Minister Katy Gallagher has highlighted a “significant package” focusing on frontline services.

Katy Gallagher, Amanda Rishworth and Anthony Albanese at a rally to end violence against women. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

She added that the Commonwealth was ready to “put some money on the table” to work with states and territories to end gender-based violence.

To address the role of alcohol in domestic and sexual violence, it was necessary to introduce restrictions on alcohol sales, delivery times and advertising, as well as the introduction of more stringent regulations.

“Many women … have told us that as the sun goes down, more alcohol is brought into their homes and they expect violence to increase,” social organizations wrote in a letter to the prime minister.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Lifeline 13 11 14

National Sexual Abuse Compensation and Support Service 1800 211 028

beyond blue 1300 22 4636

Children’s Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)

13YARN 13 92 76