The call has been made loud and clear. "Enough is enough," was the national cry on Monday.
Thousands upon thousands of people attended rallies across the country as part of the March4Justice campaign.
The campaign is calling for the Morrison government to "put an end to the issues of sexism, misogyny, patriarchy, corruption, dangerous workplace cultures and lack of equality in politics and the community at large". It is calling for full and independent investigations into gendered violence in politics and an increase in funding for the prevention of gendered violence.
The Prime Minister declined to attend Monday's rally in Canberra. Instead, he and Minister for Women Marise Payne offered to meet a small delegation behind close doors.
The Prime Minister has failed badly to read the room on this issue, sparked by former Liberal adviser Brittany Higgins alleging she was raped in Parliament House in 2019; followed by allegations Attorney-General Christian Porter raped a 16-year-old girl in 1988, which he denies.
An inquiry examining workplace culture has been launched in the wake of Ms Higgins' allegations, but an investigation into the allegations surrounding Mr Porter has been denied by the federal government.
Protesters were also calling for all 55 recommendations of the Respect@Work report into sexual harassment in workplaces to be implemented and for increased funding for gendered violence prevention.
It was great to see Bass Liberal MHR Bridget Archer make a stand on this issue and join 15 coalition colleagues on the march from the government benches.
This will be a major election issue which the Morrison government will have no choice but to address, regardless of when the election is called.
Mr Morrison insists the next federal election will be held in 2022 and given the way 2021 is progressing that is looking increasingly likely.
If the commitment, passion and anger around the nation is anything to go by, this issue will not subside until someone, somewhere addresses the demands with relative rigour.
