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 
 
 
WOMEN FLEEING VIOLENCE CANNOT AFFORD TO BE IGNORED THIS BUDGET
 

The Morrison Government must extend funding for essential domestic violence services when Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivers the Budget on 11 May.
 
Whether it be safety and violence prevention services, housing and homelessness services, or legal services, the Morrison Government has consistently failed to deliver the support that is required to keep Australian women and their children safe.
 
Despite the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Australian women experiencing family violence – the Morrison Government has only delivered announcements and excuses.
 
Adding titles to reflect the jobs that existing ministers should already be doing, and creating a taskforce to excuse all ministers from responsibility for women’s safety and financial security will not do one thing to place more beds in refuges, fund more perpetrator interventions, and provide more counselling for victim-survivors.
 
The absence of commitment and action by the Morrison Government’s has hurt the ability of frontline service to respond to the surge in family and domestic violence.
Service providers and those unable to access timely services deserve better from the Morrison Government.
 
In last year’s Budget, there was no new funding for frontline service providers to support women and their children escaping domestic violence. Australian women cannot afford another year where the Morrison Government goes to the well only to tell them it is dry.
 
This Federal budget presents a real opportunity for the Prime Minister to demonstrate that he is listening to Australian women and their advocates, that he is willing to act and take violence against women and children seriously.
 
Women and children experiencing domestic abuse should not be left alone. The full resources of Government should be used to ensure they are safe and supported.
 
ENDS
 
MEDIA CONTACT: LEILA STENNETT: 0436 632 388