Thomas brought forward a motion calling on the ACT Government to take practical measures to improve safety for women in public spaces. It included calls for better street lighting, including through ACT Government collaboration with the National Capital Authority, and appropriate funding for men’s education and behaviour change programs.

The motion was brought in response to community calls, including from victim-survivors of gendered violence, for better lighting and footpaths to improve safety in popular exercise locations. It followed a number of recent incidents where women were attacked while running in the ACT. 

The motion noted that male behaviour change and funding for early intervention community support programs is ultimately needed to address gendered violence. 

The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, proposed amendments broadening the scope to address all forms of gendered violence; removed calls to improve lighting and footpaths; and removed calls for the Government to work collaboratively with the National Capital Authority to this end. Her amendment also noted recent Government budget allocations to support women’s safety. 

Thomas supported the expanded scope of the motion, but moved a further amendment to reinsert the calls for improved lighting and footpaths, and collaboration with the National Capital Authority to address poor lighting around Lake Burley Griffin, noting that the ACT Government’s Gender Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines state that “better lighting of public spaces and pathways ranked the highest as a way of improving the safety of urban spaces.” This amendment ensured the motion continued to reflect the specific community calls that had originally prompted the motion. 

Canberra Liberals MLA Chiaka Barry also proposed a further amendment noting the importance of adequate police presence at high risk locations, which Thomas supported. This amendment was opposed by ACT Labor and the ACT Greens, so was voted down by the Assembly, while Dr Paterson’s and Thomas’ amendments were passed unanimously.