Funding boost for frontline family, domestic and sexual violence services in Queensland

The $260 million National Partnership on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence has been rolled out, with Queensland receiving their first payment of $13.255 million to help address increased demand for frontline services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said this funding will help keep the residents of Bonner safe and shows the commitment the Morrison Government has towards ending domestic violence.

“When a woman is escaping domestic violence, she is faced with great uncertainty, limited resources and is isolated,” Mr Vasta said.

“I have no tolerance for domestic violence and abuse and I have worked closely with domestic and sexual violence services within Bonner including Beyond DV, to help ensure women and children are safe and secure.

“This funding adds to the $130 million the Morrison Government provided to states and territories in 2020, which funded 450 family and domestic violence frontline organisations and delivered more than 545 activities and services.

“Under the $130 million National Partnership the Queensland government received $25.638 million which supported 130 frontline family domestic and sexual violence services.

“Among the projects funded there was also a focus on offering services to give women the skills and confidence to leave a violent relationship and live independently such as financial counselling programs and support navigating the legal and courts system which can often be daunting or too expensive.

“This additional support for frontline services also works alongside our Escaping Violence Payment which provides women and children leaving a violence relationship up to $5000 to establish a safe home regardless of their income or assets.”

Minister for Women’s Safety Anne Ruston said the Morrison Government was absolutely committed to working collaboratively and cooperatively with our state and territory counterparts to ensure women and children have access to support they need to live free of violence.

“We are providing $65 million in support to states and territories through the first payment under the National Partnership Agreement giving each jurisdiction flexibility to determine where the money is needed most,” Minister Ruston said.

“It is being used to bolster frontline worker numbers, expand crisis accommodation, sexual violence support, counselling and crisis case management, legal support, perpetrator interventions and men’s behaviour change programs.

“Funding is also being directed to help women and children who may have additional barriers to accessing support such as migrants, people with disability, LGBTIQA+ communities and women and children living in rural and remote communities.”

The National Partnership Agreement is being funded under the Morrison Government’s record $1.1 billion investment into women’s safety and coincides with the next National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022 to 2032.