Chalmers: violence against women and children 'entirely unacceptable' as government defends funding approach

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has described violence against women and children as "entirely unacceptable," reiterating the government's position after being asked whether it would support a national royal commission into the issue.

Chalmers said the government had opted to boost resourcing for family, child and domestic violence services rather than commit to a national inquiry. He said the approach was intended to address underlying drivers of the violence, citing insecurity within the housing system and what he termed "monetised misogyny" spread online as contributing factors.

"There are a whole range of factors feeding in here," Chalmers told the national broadcaster, adding that the government was working to address the sources of the violence rather than any single cause.

"It's horrific in every way," he said of the scale of the problem, while stopping short of endorsing a royal commission that some advocates and political figures have continued to call for.

The treasurer's comments reflect an ongoing tension in the public debate over how best to respond to violence against women and children in Australia, with the government emphasising funding increases already under way rather than a fresh independent inquiry.