The National Partnership on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence has been rolled out, with Queensland receiving its first payment of $13,255,000 to help address increased demand for frontline services because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the Coalition Government was absolutely committed to working collaboratively and cooperatively with state and territory counterparts to ensure women and children have access to support they need to live free of violence.
“Each state and territory have the flexibility to determine where the money is needed most under the National Partnership’s first payment,” Mr Littleproud said.
“It could be bolstering frontline worker numbers, expanding crisis accommodation, sexual violence support, counselling and crisis case management, legal support, perpetrator interventions and men’s behaviour change programs.
“Funding could be directed to help women and children who may have additional barriers to accessing support such as migrants, people with disability, LGBTIQA+ communities and women and children living in rural and remote communities.”
The National Partnership builds on the $130,000,000 the Coalition Government provided to states and territories in 2020, which focused on giving women the skills and confidence to leave a violent relationship and live independently.
“The National Partnership support for frontline services also works alongside our Escaping Violence Payment, which provides women and children leaving a violent relationship up to $5000 to establish a safe home regardless of their income or assets,” Mr Littleproud said.
The National Partnership Agreement is being funded under the Coalition Government’s record $1.1 billion investment into women’s safety and coincides with the next National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022 to 2032.
