Australian television personality Edwina Bartholomew criticizes Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton for not addressing a pressing concern affecting all Australians.
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Sunrise host Edwina Bartholomew has lashed out at political leaders Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton, demanding they do more to combat violence against women following the tragic death of 19-year-old Audrey Griffin.
Discovered lifeless in Erina Creek on the Central Coast of New South Wales on March 24, Audrey was last seen leaving a nearby pub after a night out with friends. Having failed to secure an Uber ride, she walked home alone, tragic events unfolding thereafter.
Adrian Torrens, aged 53, was charged with Audrey's murder on Monday. However, three days later, he was found unresponsive in his cell at Silverwater Correctional Complex in western Sydney, taking his own life.
Torrens had a lengthy history of violence against women, a fact that has since come to light. Audrey's death, initially deemed as an accidental drowning due to a preliminary autopsy, was revealed to be a homicide following subsequent investigations. Police found Audrey's DNA under Torrens' fingernails, leading to his arrest.
Bartholomew penned a passionate plea distributed by 7news.com.au, urging government officials to address gender-based violence seriously. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has vowed a $90 million commitment towards a 10-year plan to end violence against women and children if his party wins the election on May 3. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a $4.7 billion investment in the issue the previous year.
Bartholomew criticized the quick return to other contentious issues such as the housing crisis and electricity prices, stating, "That's it. The impact was over in a day, and we quickly returned to our housing crisis and electricity prices." She reiterated the pleas of thousands in her hometown, urging national action to end violence against women and calling on political leaders to treat it as a national emergency.
Audrey was the 22nd woman to be victims of gender-based violence this year. Bartholomew questioned, "Who is actually listening? How many more rallies will there be? How many women will be killed? How many more must flee from harm before something serious is done?"
Torrens had previously managed to avoid prison following an October plea of guilty to using a carriage service to harass, menace, or offend someone, as well as breaching an AVO. Granted an 18-month community corrections order, he was serving this at the time of Audrey's murder. Torrens had a history of violent offenses and breaching restraining orders.
Outcry erupted when it was revealed that a government department sent a condolence message about Torrens following his death in custody, mere days after he was charged with Audrey's murder. Torrens also faced 11 other domestic violence charges at the time of his arrest.
In a resurfaced video from a Q&A panel discussion on domestic violence, criminologist and former police officer Vincent Hurley blasted politicians as "disgraceful," and called out federal frontbenchers Murray Watt and Bridget McKenzie, as well as NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman. Hurley demanded that if a man has a history of violence against his partner, he should not be granted the presumption of bail.
Audrey's family mourned her Loss, remembering her as a source of endless joy and laughter. The sporty teenager had competed in the ANZCO half-ironman event just two weeks before her death, having traveled to New Zealand for the competition. She was remembered as a determined athlete, talented student, and widely liked by her peers.
More details and updates about the situation can be found here.
- In response to the tragic homicide of Audrey Griffin, Sunrise host Edwina Bartholomew has called for greater action from political leaders Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton to combat violence against women.
- Despite facing 11 domestic violence charges at the time of his arrest for Audrey's murder, a government department reportedly sent a condolence message to the alleged perpetrator, Adrian Torrens, following his death in custody.
- criminologist Vincent Hurley, in a resurfaced video, criticized federal frontbenchers Murray Watt and Bridget McKenzie, NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman, and other politicians for their allegedly disgraceful handling of domestic violence cases, including the presumption of bail for individuals with a history of violence.
- Audrey Griffin, a 19-year-old victim of gender-based violence, was remembered as a determined athlete, talented student, and widely liked by her peers. She had recently traveled to New Zealand to compete in the ANZCO half-ironman event.
- Despite promises and investments from both the current and opposition governments aimed at ending violence against women, Sunrise host Edwine Bartholomiew has expressed dissatisfaction with the quick return to other contentious issues and called for national action to treat gender-based violence as a national emergency.
