Tuesday, 2 May 2023

 Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) presented a petition bearing 156 signatures:

The Petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that there is a funding shortfall for women seeking support through domestic and family violence counselling, sexual abuse and trauma counselling, crisis intervention support for apprehended violence orders or homelessness, and access to therapeutic groups.

The Women’s Centre for Health and Wellbeing Albury–Wodonga Inc. is a cross-border service that supports more than 100 first time domestic violence impacted Victorian women every year, yet the Victorian Government provides them with funding equivalent to supporting only 12 first time domestic violence impacted women per year.

The funding shortfall experienced by this organisation equates to more than $300,000 every year and diminishes the quality support that can be provide to women in crisis.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to rectify the funding shortfall to the Women’s Centre for Health and Wellbeing Albury–Wodonga Inc. and increase its core funding.

Wendy LOVELL: I move:

That the petition be taken into consideration on the next day of meeting.

Motion agreed to.