Thursday, 20 February 2025

 Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Government Services, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Women) (09:57): Last week I visited and opened the McAuley Community Services for Women’s new refuge in Melton, named Jan’s Place. McAuley provides safe and stable housing for women and children affected by family violence. Partnering with them, we have been able to deliver six new family units with onsite specialist support in Melton. I saw firsthand, with the member for Melton, what a welcoming place this new facility is for women and their families to be supported and safe. In line with the best practice recommendations from Victoria’s Royal Commission into Family Violence, Jan’s Place has a core and cluster design. The units face a shared outdoor space and are connected to a central hub housing support services and a communal area. This enables women and children to live independently while having access to 24/7 onsite services.

Jan’s Place is one of 16 refuges that have now been completed since the commencement of the $250 million refuge redevelopment program, with six more refuges undergoing redevelopment for completion by 2028. This means the number of refuges across the state will grow from 30 to 35 and the household capacity of the system will increase from 124 to 197 households per night, a total increase of 73. Jan’s Place is essential for women and children experiencing family violence across Melbourne’s west.