David Morrison criticised recent comments by former Labor leader Mark Latham who questioned the need for a "big focus" on domestic violence in Australia.
During last night’s Q and A program on the ABC, an audience member asked about Latham’s recent comments that domestic violence statistics were declining and that women “are safer than ever before”.
Morrison responded by saying lives are still being taken and statistics shouldn’t be considered.
“What do you want to do? Compare a particular figure from a year to a year,” Mr Morrison said.
“We are, as a society, becoming more aware of the greatest social challenge that we face – that is domestic violence in this country.”
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Mr Morrison mentioned the case of Tara Costigan who was allegedly murdered by her husband, Marcus Rappel, last year.
According to court documents, Rappel allegedly pledged to kill the next woman to take out a domestic violence order against him.
'A nation of bystanders'
“Tara Costigan was killed in the most brutal fashion in the ACT,” Mr Morrison said.
“You can’t look at the Costigan family and quote a statistic (that domestic violence) is in decline and is a squeaky wheel.
“Get real Australia. We run the risk at times of being a nation of bystanders comforted by a few statistics.
“There are people that are dying and people whose lives are absolutely ruined as a result of domestic violence.
"What’s more, we are all, as a society, the victim."
Stan Grant's political future
The program also featured journalist Stan Grant, who mentioned that he would consider a future in politics - but didn't say when it would be, or which party he was considering.
"This is a great country and my people still suffer in this country and if I can make a contribution to that, then I think it behooves me to do that,” Mr Grant said.
He said there was still "no flesh on the bone", to which host Tony Jones replied: "You might get a few phone calls tomorrow [on Tuesday]".
