SENATOR JENNY MCALLISTER  
SHADOW CABINET SECRETARY  
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE LABOR LEADER IN THE SENATE  
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMMUNITIES AND THE PREVENTION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE  
SENATOR FOR NEW SOUTH WALES 

5 MONTHS ON AND SERVICES STILL WAITING FOR PROMISED WOMEN’S SAFETY PACKAGE 

Reports today of further confusion and delay in the rollout of the Morrison government’s Women’s Safety package are deeply concerning. 

The Joyce-Morrison government promised $17.1 million in mental health services for victim survivors in the May budget. Nearly half a year later the money is still missing.  

Today its reported that the Department of Attorney General has been forced to email service providers “clarifying” the delivery arrangements for the money, and apologising for the confusion and uncertainty surrounding this program. 

The covid -19 pandemic has increased the intensity and severity of domestic violence. It has also had a terrible impact on people’s mental health. It is hard to see why the government wouldn’t keep its promise and urgently deliver funds to address mental health for victim-survivors during this time.  

Frontline services supporting women and their children are buckling under the strain of increased demand for their services.  

The Coalition Government has ignored women’s safety for the past eight years. Following enormous public pressure, they were forced to act, and rushed together a package in the May Budget.  

Five months later services are still waiting.
  
Domestic violence stakeholders are reporting that at least $407 million of the government promised $1.1 billion women’s safety package is delayed.   

The Minister should explain exactly how much of this package has been implemented and delivered. Securing women’s safety requires more than a media release on budget night.  

ENDS