Federal Labor politicians have promised funding support for frontline organisations supporting women and children fleeing violence if they win the next election.
The politicians said an Albanese Labor Government would establish the Housing Australia Future Fund to build 30,000 social and affordable homes across the country. This would include 4,000 homes for women and children fleeing violence and for older women on low incomes who are at risk of homelessness.
Labor, they said, would also provide an additional $100 million for crisis accommodation – including $1 million in the ACT. That, they said, could help as many as 90 women to find refuge.
Labor would also fund five workers to help 400 women survivors of domestic violence.
Senator Jenny McAllister, Shadow Assistant Minister for Communities and the Prevention of Family Violence, joined Senator Katy Gallagher, Shadow Minister for Finance, Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Shadow Assistant Minister for Treasury and Charities, Alicia Payne MP, Member for Canberra, and David Smith MP, Member for Bean, at the YWCA Canberra.
“Sadly, we know one in six women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner, and one woman is killed every week on average,” Ms Payne said. “It’s a national tragedy, and it’s time it was treated as a national priority.
“It’s not good enough that women in Canberra fleeing violence are turned away every day because of insufficient federal funding for accommodation and crisis support services.”
The Labor politicians claim that women in the ACT fleeing violence are being turned away from accommodation and support services because of insufficient funding from the Morrison Government.
“Each year, nearly 10,000 women and children seeking safety are turned away because there isn’t a bed,” they said. “For many women and children, this means homelessness – couch surfing, sleeping in the car, on the street, or returning to the perpetrator.”
Ms Payne said this funding for more accommodation and support workers would help women leave violent and abusive relationships,” Ms Payne said. “It will save lives and change the future for so many families.”
“An extra pair of hands can make an enormous difference,” the Labor politicians said. “The services we talk to say that an extra person working on staff can help between 80 and 100 additional women and children each year. That’s why Labor will invest in 500 new workers across Australia to support people who are facing violence.
“Survivors of violence are strong, and they deserve our help to rebuild their lives. Over the past 9 years, Coalition governments have failed to take this task seriously. Labor will tackle the scourge of domestic violence with ambition and urgency.”
“It’s past time to stop just talking about it – and elevate women’s safety to a national priority,” Ms Payne said. “Labor understands this, and knows that Canberra women and children deserve better.”
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