I wanted to take a moment to update you on the important steps we’re taking to keep women and children safe across Australia. 

Since coming to office, ending violence against women and children has been a top priority for the Albanese Government.  We have already committed over $3.4 billion to support the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032. 

Now, we're building on these efforts with even more decisive action. Last week, National Cabinet agreed to a new, comprehensive $4.7 billion package aimed at accelerating action to end violence against women and children in our communities. 

This is not just about responding to incidents of violence — it’s also about working together to prevent it from happening in the first place. National Cabinet agree to action across a range of areas:

Boosting Frontline Services: One of the most immediate needs is ensuring that women and children escaping violence have the support they need, when they need it. National Cabinet agreed to a new $3.9 billion access to justice agreement that will support critical frontline legal services. This funding will help support frontline legal assistance services who provide such important support to women and children impacted by violence. National Cabinet also agreed to negotiate a renewed, five year National Partnership Agreement on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses, to deliver over $700 million in new matched investments from the Commonwealth and state and territories.

Tackling High-Risk Perpetrators: We know that early intervention can save lives. That’s why we’re introducing new approaches to share information about high-risk perpetrators across jurisdictions.  This means no matter where someone is in Australia, authorities will have the tools they need to respond effectively. We’ll also be trialling new focused deterrence models and Domestic Violence Threat Assessment Centres to identify and intervene with high-risk perpetrators before violence escalates.

A Focus on First Nations Women and Children: National Cabinet committed to maintaining a central focus on missing and murdered First Nations women and children at the forefront of these efforts. It was agreed that all government commitments on gender-based violence must explicitly consider the needs and experiences of First Nations people, and be delivered in genuine partnership with First Nations communities.

Support for Children Exposed to Violence: It’s devastating to think of the children who are caught in the middle of family violence. To help break the cycle of violence, the Commonwealth will start comprehensive work with sector experts to identify gaps in supports for children and young people and help design and implement new ways forward. While this work is underway, we're directing $80 million toward trauma-informed services for children and young people who have witnessed or experiences violence. These services will help them heal, recover, and break the cycle of violence. 

Addressing the role that systems and harmful industries play in exacerbating violence: We are also addressing broader systemic issues that contribute to gender-based violence. This includes: 

• States and territories reviewing alcohol laws to examine their impact on family violence 
• The Commonwealth will immediately commence an audit of key government systems to identify areas where they are being weaponised by perpetrators of family and domestic violence.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Visit to Women's Legal Centre

On Friday 13 September, Alicia Payne and I met with the team at the Women’s Legal Centre ACT to talk through what this boost in funding means for them and their work. 

Prior to the National Cabinet decision, centres like this were facing funding cliffs left by the former government. That’s why we are investing $3.9 billion in a new access to justice agreement that will support critical frontline legal services. 

Importantly we’ve ensured the agreement is ongoing to provide certainty to the sector. We’ve also increased funding to include indexation, address pay parity and respond to demand for services, including for gender-based violence.

As I said to the staff when we were there, the work they do saves lives. I have so much gratitude for all they do to keep Canberrans safe and I’m proud to be a member of a government that is recognising just how essential these services are.

   ___________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________

              If you or someone you know needs support or assistance, there are several services available that are just a phone call away.
 
1800RESPECT
Call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732
Chat online via 1800RESPECT.org.au
Or text 0458 737 732
 
No to Violence
ntv.org.au
 
Men’s Referral Service
1300 766 491
 
13YARN
Call 13 92 76 (24 hours/7days)