Domestic violence funding pledge nothing but 'crumbs'
A $230 million emergency package to help combat domestic violence in NSW pales in comparison to commitments made in Victoria and amounts to nothing but “crumbs” critics say.
Premier Chris Minns on Monday unveiled the four-year package that includes bail law reform, prevention programs and extra money for specialist workers as key initiatives.
A woman has been violently killed every four days in Australia in the year to date, sparking mass rallies and calls for political action at all levels of government.
In NSW, the death of Molly Ticehurst allegedly at the hands of a former partner who was already on bail on charges of raping, stalking and intimidating her has spurred calls for urgent legal changes.
Chris Minns says family violence is a blight on the community that deserves concerted attention. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)
Unveiling his government’s plan, Mr Minns said he was “truly sorry” the reforms had not been announced earlier.
“The bottom line here is that all governments need to do better and that includes my government in NSW,” he told reporters.
But NSW Greens MP Abigail Boyd said NSW was still likely to be funding responses to domestic and family violence at between half and two thirds of which is being provided by Victoria.
“This is hardly a transformative level of investment at all comparable to what the Victorian government committed,” she said.
“The sad reality is that we are starting from a position so retrograde, so inadequate, that we’ve become trained to be grateful for crumbs.”
Under the plan, more than $73 million will go towards justice system reforms, including yet-to-be-announced changes to state bail laws.
Another $48 million will go towards keeping women and children in their homes after leaving violent relationships through measures such as the installation of CCTV and panic alarms.
A further $48 million will boost the number of specialist support workers for children, while $46 million will help address causes of family violence and teach young children about healthy relationships.
There will be more than $13 million for workforce training and expansion of services offered by peak body Domestic Violence NSW.
Attorney-General Michael Daley is expected to reveal details of the justice system reforms in coming weeks.
Lin Hatfield Dodds says the funding will help people navigate key services to ensure they get help. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)
The opposition has called for the expanded use of electronic monitoring devices for those on bail for serious domestic violence offences.
It also wants reform to remove the power of court registrars to determine bail for serious personal violence.
Domestic Violence NSW chief executive Delia Donovan said the government package recognised the pressing problems of domestic and family violence, including recognition of children as victims.
Charity The Benevolent Society said the package would help people navigate the complex system of police, courts, healthcare, child protection and housing.
“We look forward to hearing more about proposed changes to improve bail laws and justice system responses to domestic violence – judicial reform is key,” chief executive Lin Hatfield Dodds said.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
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