JASON CLARE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL SERVICES, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TERRITORIES
MEMBER FOR BLAXLAND

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


NO HOUSING FOR WOMEN’S SAFETY SUMMIT

The Morrison Government has just released the agenda for its much-hyped Women’s Safety Summit – without a single mention of the word housing.

This is despite the fact that almost 10,000 women and children are turned away from refuges across the country each year.  Many have no choice but to return to an abusive partner.

“According to the local Police Commander in Byron Bay, there are up to 400 women living in their cars in the area,” said Jason Clare. “And this issue is national. In fact, it’s a national disgrace.”

You can’t tackle the issue of women’s safety without tackling the issue of safe accommodation for women.

Refuges are full because there is not enough transitional and long term social housing for women to move into.

But the Morrison Government can’t bring itself to even talk about the need for more social housing, let alone invest in it.

If Labor wins the next election we will establish the Housing Australia Future Fund, which will include $1.7 billion dollars to directly address this issue:

• $1.6 billion will be spent to build 4000 new social housing properties specifically allocated for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence.  
• $100 million will be allocated for crisis and transitional housing options for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence, and older women on low incomes who are at risk of homelessness.

“The omission of housing from the agenda is a clear mistake that would have been apparent to anyone who had been listening to victim-survivors and their advocates. The postponement of the summit gives the Government an opportunity to rectify this mistake.,” said Senator McAllister.