SENATOR CLAIRE MOORE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR WOMEN

SHADOW MINISTER FOR CARERS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR COMMUNITIES
SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND
SENATOR CAROL BROWN
SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR
FAMILIES AND PAYMENTS
LABOR SENATOR FOR TASMANIA
MEDIA RELEASE
TONY ABBOTT CUTS ESSENTIAL SERVICES SUPPORTING FAMILY
VIOLENCE VICTIMS
It has today been revealed that the Abbott Liberal Government has cut
ongoing funding to 27 Specialised Family Violence Services which support
thousands of people who have experienced or witnessed domestic
violence, including children.
Due to the short-sightedness of this Liberal Government none of the 27
previously funded Specialised Family Violence Services were successful in
securing ongoing funding through the recent Department of Social
Services grants round.
Senator Carol Brown, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Parliamentary
Secretary for Families and Payments, said answers to questions from
Februarys Senate Estimates confirmed the cut to the services.
As a result of the bungled grants process, which included funding cuts of
more than $270 million, critical services which provided behaviour change
groups and counselling for children and families who have experienced
family violence have been cut.
These cuts represent an attack on vital support for children and families
who have experienced and witnessed family violence.

Services providers have told me that while the Specialised Family

Violence Services only made up a small component of their overall funding
for family and relationship services, it was an integral part of the service
supporting families with complex needs.
Unfortunately, the Liberals do not recognise the importance of these
services.
The bridging funding announced by the Government is nothing more
than a short reprieve for organisations that have been told their funding
will end.
If Scott Morrison is serious about standing up for families and children he
should reverse these cuts immediately.
Senator Claire Moore, Shadow Minister for Women, said that Labor will be
considering a range of policy approaches to prevent family violence and
has called for urgent action.
Labor has called on the Prime Minister to hold a National Crisis Summit on
Family Violence and announced a $70 million interim package of measures
to make sure women get the legal support they need and have
somewhere safe to go. This includes:
- Almost $50 million to legal services, including Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Legal Services to ensure women suffering from family
violence have appropriate legal support;
- Initial investment of $15 million in Safe at Home grants to help
people affected by family violence stay safe in their own home; and
- An investment of $8 million in perpetrator interaction mapping to
enable better accountability.
Labor established the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women
and Children (2010-2022) to bring together all governments in a long term
strategy for this cause. We welcome ongoing government support for this
Plan and genuine cross party engagement, said Senator Moore.
Labor is committed to ensure family violence is addressed as a national
priority.
TUESDAY, 14 APRIL 2015