Premier needs to act now to support family violence services

Labor today called on the Liberal Government to immediately commit additional funding to the stretched Family Violence Counselling and Support Service.

Labor Leader Bryan Green raised concerns about soaring unmet demand for family violence counselling ahead of White Ribbon Day next week.

“The Government’s family violence action plan included $4 million for additional counselling services,” Mr Green said.

“However, more than three months after the package was launched, not a single cent of this money has been spent.

“Rather than investing these funds into the official Family Violence Counselling and Support Service the Government is pushing ahead with plans to hand the funding to the private sector.

“Labor has been told that Child Protection workers are referring people to other support services because the wait for the Government’s Family Violence Counselling and Support Service is unacceptably long.

“It was confirmed in Parliament today that two positions within the service remain vacant.

“The Premier failed to detail how many people are currently waiting for support while resources in the Department of Human Services are tied up preparing tender documents.

“The Government has additional funding to invest in the Family Violence Counselling and Support Service right now.

“The Premier needs to explain why he is allowing families in need to fall through the cracks.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader