Man charged with knife attack on ex-partner at gym

A man has been charged over an alleged domestic violence-related knife attack outside a Sydney gym that left a woman covered in blood and screaming for help from bystanders.

The 45-year-old turned himself in to officers on Thursday morning after the 39-year-old had been hit in the neck, head and back with a kitchen knife the previous afternoon.

The woman was allegedly attacked as she left Crunch Fitness in Alexandria, in the city’s inner south, before the perpetrator fled as others intervened.

Police said the suspect had a brief relationship with the victim.

The woman was treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The North Manly man was charged with wounding or causing grievous bodily harm to a person with intent to murder and breaching an AVO.

He was refused bail to appear at Manly Magistrates Court on Friday.

Prime Minister Chris Minns was asked about a series of alleged domestic violence attacks at a news conference on Thursday.

Mr Minns said his government was considering all options as part of its response to a growing problem.

Courts have issued more than 39,000 arrest warrants for domestic violence in the last 12 months, and the government is studying how people exposed to such violence are monitored, he said.

Electronic tracking would be explored, but the premier flagged challenges around costs and resources.

The state opposition is pushing to extend electronic monitoring of probation officers to people released on bail and to make this a presumptive requirement if they are accused of serious personal violent crimes.

“Electronic monitoring of criminals is not new territory, it also works successfully in other contexts,” said Shadow Attorney General Alister Henskens.

According to 2023 data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, perpetrators of domestic violence were nearly 33 percent less likely to reoffend and nearly 20 percent less likely to violate an order.

“It is not a knee-jerk reaction, but a sensible approach to protecting women,” Mr Henskens said.

Attorney-General Michael Daley said advocates are urging Cabinet not to rush reforms around bail and electronic monitoring.

“There are cases where it doesn’t work, it doesn’t protect the woman and the woman in question doesn’t feel safe,” he said.

“The legislation we bring to Parliament will be modelled, will be costed, will be consulted, will not be motivated by politics… and will be part of a wider package.”

The government has announced a $230 million package to combat domestic violence through early prevention and education and support for women’s shelters.

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