Wednesday, 29 November 2023

Ministers statements: family violence

Vicki WARD (Eltham – Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Employment) (14:20): Today is day five of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence. Victim-survivors of family violence are at the centre of the Allan Labor government’s landmark housing statement. Home should be a safe place for everyone. We know that too often, particularly for women and children, home is not always safe. It can be the most dangerous place they can be. Women and children are forced to flee to safety and forced to create a new life, and we know how serious this is.

Since 2015 this government has made unprecedented investments in housing, flexible support packages and assistance for victim-survivors, and we have had a mountain to climb due to the actions of those opposite, who made ruthless cuts to housing assistance, social housing and supports for disadvantaged Victorians over four long years. In 2021–22 more than 46,000 Victorians were provided homelessness assistance after experiencing family violence, an increase of 50 per cent since those opposite were last in government.

On this side we are not satisfied by merely patching up the damage done by those opposite. In the last two budgets this government has delivered over $100 million to fund new and existing housing refuges and crisis accommodation. The Big Housing Build has already delivered more housing supply. We have invested in the construction of 14 new core and cluster refuges and committed to up to 1000 new homes across the state specifically for those fleeing family violence. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution, so we are delivering over 6500 flexible support packages each year to make sure each person receives tailored and individualised support. Safer housing is a key part of our strategy to end family violence, and we remain committed to investing in the programs and infrastructure that will help more Victorian families stay safe.