The package, announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison during a press conference this morning, focuses on prevention, identification, rescue and recovery. It also includes educating school children on preventing domestic violence.
Of the promised funding, $82 million is dedicated to frontline services and $68 million will be injected into prevention strategies.
Additionally, $78 million will be directed towards safe places and emergency accommodation.
The Morrison Govt has zero tolerance for violence against women, which is why today we will be announcing the largest ever single Commonwealth investment of $328m in funding to help reduce family and domestic violence. @ScottMorrisonMP @PaulFletcherMP #auspol
— Kelly O’Dwyer (@KellyODwyer) March 4, 2019
The national sexual assault and domestic violence phone counselling hotline will receive $62 million and $35 million will be directed towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“I look forward to the day when a Prime Minister can stand … and say that a young girl being born today won’t experience this over the course of the first 20 years of their life,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said during a press conference today.
Meanwhile, Labor announced yesterday that it will commit $60 million over 4 years to fund 20,000 flexible support packages to help victims of domestic violence.
The packages are designed to help women fleeing abusive relationships set up permanent new homes, helping to cover the costs of basics like housing, transport, utilities and security.
The packages are based on a 2016 Victorian state government model, where more than $64,000 was spent on 19,000 packages.
Brilliant to be with @billshortenmp and the team to announce that Labor’s Banking Fairness Fund will provide $60m to support women and children fleeing domestic violence.
The banks do very well out of Australians. Labor will ask them to give back a bit more to our community. pic.twitter.com/X3Zrzus9xH
— Clare O’Neil MP (@ClareONeilMP) March 4, 2019
“We need to invest in more support for women fleeing violence at home, so that financial barriers aren’t the reason victims are trapped in a violent relationship,” Shorten said in a statement.
“Instead of asking, ‘why did she stay?’ we need to ask ‘where could she go?’
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