· Frontline services for victims of crime could be cut by the Government

· This Government has a history of wasting money on itself and this is where savings should be made, not by cutting services to victims of crime

The Government must rule out any cuts to the budget for supporting victims of crime in Tasmania.

And it should be up front and honest with Lifeline about its plans for the service, not leave it in limbo the way it has done.

That the Government would even consider making cuts to this vital service is abhorrent and out of touch. The number of victims receiving support has been increasing steadily, from 1,165 in 2003-04 to 1,405 in 2007-08. So while demand from victims for support is increasing, the Government wants to cut back on support.

Labor has previously shown its disregard for victims of crime when it recently tried to axe the victims of crime compensation scheme in Tasmania.

The Attorney-General has not provided appropriate assurances to concerns regarding the future of the Victims of Crime Service in Tasmania beyond October 30.

When the Government announced it would be looking to make savings in its Budget, it was at pains to point out that frontline service would be protected.

We’re seeing yet again that this tired, 11 year old Government is taking Tasmania in the wrong direction.

The Government is not good at keeping its promises, it’s not good at getting its priorities right and it’s not good at supporting victims of crime.

Currently, Lifeline provides a fantastic service to those Tasmanians unfortunate enough to become a victim of crime. It beggars belief that the Government would look to rip money out of supporting victims of crime.

How could the Government even consider this is a necessary saving when it has allowed the number of advisers and the amount wasted on Government spin to balloon out of control?

If the Government needs to make savings, it should come from Government waste, not from cutting the services provided to some of Tasmania’s most vulnerable people.
Vanessa Goodwin MP Shadow Attorney-General