Aussie gov't, opposition to join forces to say "no more" to family violence

Australian MPs from all sides of politics will put their differences aside at an event to raise awareness for family violence next week, a move campaigners hope will shift the public attitude towards cruelty in the home.

Ahead of the Christmas holiday period, social justice campaigner and prominent Indigenous leader Charlie King successfully asked both Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to join forces and make a statement to the nation by linking arms in support of saying "no more" to family violence.

King told Fairfax Media that next Monday's event is a positive step forward in the war against domestic and family violence, and that there was "no better time" to make a statement.

"This is going to be a very powerful thing, a moment that wakes the nation up and brings the nation together," King told Fairfax Media on Monday.

"There is no better time to do this than now, when we are about to enter the festive season when there is usually a spike in family violence."

King, a sports broadcaster and former child protection worker, has also contacted representatives from both the Australian and Pakistani national cricket teams, in the hope they might join the public fight to raise awareness for the campaign.

But he said it wasn't up to only professional sporting organizations and MPs to champion the idea.

"We want more than just sporting clubs. We want business, the media, to start writing their plans," King said.

"The greatest Christmas gift would be a festive season free from violence."

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will lead the landmark event on Monday, Nov. 28. Endit