Thursday, 2 May 2019

Family violence

In reply to Mr GRIMLEY (Western Victoria) (19 March 2019)

Ms MIKAKOS (Northern Metropolitan—Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services):

I am advised that:

The Andrews Labor Government has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to ending family violence. We have invested over $2.6 billion as we work to implement all 227 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence. This is more than any other jurisdiction, including the Commonwealth, combined.

We welcome the Commonwealth Government’s recent commitment of $328 million to reduce violence against women and their children, as we always welcome funding from the Commonwealth in relation to addressing these issues.

At this stage, there is no detail available on how much of this funding will be available to Victoria. My Department understands that eligible agencies will be able to apply for the emergency accommodation grant funding, however at this stage it is unclear which agencies will be deemed eligible.

The Andrews Labor Government has in the last three budget years funded nearly eight times the Commonwealth Government’s commitment, including but not limited to—

• $50.7 million for Victoria’s first primary prevention strategy and to establish Respect Victoria in 2016-17 and $24 million in 2018-19 to expand the primary prevention advertising campaign

• $270.8 million for after-hours victim crisis support, counselling and therapy

• $122 million to support families and children

• $103.9 million for specialist family violence services such as crisis support

• $448.1 million to establish 17 Support and Safety Hubs across the state

• $133.2 million towards additional long-term housing, more rental assistance, improved crisis accommodation and better support for people fleeing family violence

• $64 million for Keeping Women Safe in their Homes

Decisions around the 2019-20 Victorian Budget will be made in due course.