Fair Agenda

Last week, both the Coalition Government and the Labor Opposition announced new funding commitments on family violence - a signal that this is an issue they both know is on the radar for voters this election.

We can’t let those announcements be the end of the parties' commitments to change. It’s absolutely critical that we show them that voters like us are watching this issue closely; that we know more is needed; and that we're going to keep speaking up until they commit what’s needed to address the family violence crisis.

On Monday last week - the Labor party announced $60 million for tailored support for people to rebuild their lives after fleeing abusive relationships. That commitment is positive. But given the scale of the problem, we hope and expect it is not the entirety of the ALP’s commitments in this important area.

Then on Tuesday The Morrison Government announced an additional $382 million of federal funding over three years to improve prevention and response under the final phase of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. That commitment included crucial additional funding for crisis response, accommodation and long-term prevention. It was  really positive progress.

But it was nowhere near the level of funding that experts have been calling for, and there appear to be troubling gaps in their commitments.

The Labor Party will be considering how they respond to the Government’s announcement. We need to hammer home that this issue matters to Australian voters and that they want them to not only match the Government’s commitment, but to fill the gaps it leaves.

Specifically, under the Morrison Government's announcement: Family Violence Prevention Legal Services, community legal services and perpetrator interventions haven’t received the level of funding that experts have been calling for, and that are needed to meet demand for their services.

These services do important work: for the safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women; to ensure that women know their rights and options under family law; and working with men who are using violent behaviour to prevent their future violence.

To address this national crisis all of these services all need to be adequately funded.

With the federal budget due in just a few weeks, we can assume that last week’s announcement is the entirety of the Coalition’s platform on domestic violence. But there’s still a chance to influence Labor's further commitments in this area.

You can bet that the ALP will be looking at this commitment from the Government, and measuring community response, while they finalise the shape and size their commitments on this issue. It may only be a matter of days before they finalise their policy.

That means that right now there is an opportunity to make sure they commit to not only match; but also address the gaps in the Government commitment.

This afternoon is our best chance to do that, but for the Opposition Leader to sit up and take notice, hundreds of us will need to make the call within a few hours of each other. Will you pick up the phone and let Bill Shorten’s office know that we want him to invest in the services needed to ensure a safer future for women?

It only takes a minute to make a call - we’ve even provided a draft script and Bill Shorten’s office phone number below. When you make the call, a staffer will answer the phone. Just tell them why you’re calling, why you care about this issue, and ask them to pass along your message to the opposition leader: 

Phone Now: (03) 9326 1300

Hi, my name is [insert name].

[Mention if you are a constituent of Maribyrnong, or another Labor MP’s electorate. And if you voted for the Labor party at the next election].

I’m calling because I am very concerned about the family violence crisis. I know that right now the full range of services needed to enable a woman to safely escape an abuser aren’t funded to meet demand.

I’m aware that last week the government announced an additional $382 of federal funding for family violence response and prevention. While I was excited to see the additional investment in areas like crisis response, accommodation and long-term prevention, I was concerned to see some critical gaps in the funding commitment.

I’m calling to urge the Labor Party to not only match the Government commitment, but to exceed it - and address the gaps by committing to providing the necessary funding to community legal centres, the Family Violence Prevention Legal Services, and perpetrator services.

[Mention if this issue will affect how you vote at the next election].

Will you please pass along my message to the Opposition Leader?

Thank you for your time.

Click here to let us know when you’ve made your call.

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2 comments

Stacey Batterham 2019-03-15 18:13:14 +1100

Thank you for your support for our campaign. The key addition we would like to see to your ask is a genuine contribution from the Federal Government to frontline women’s safety services – the services that work with women to support them to achieve safety, justice and wellbeing from the moment they enter the service system right through to living a life free from violence. This is something we did not see in this package, and is the absolute starting point from which all other interventions should be built. Funding for legal services also needs to be targeted to specialist women’s legal services – must include funding for representation, and must be directed in a manner which ensures there is not a system of ‘postcode justice’ at play. Kind regards, Hayley Foster, Director – Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service NSW

Stacey Batterham 2019-03-15 18:08:11 +1100

Thank you for your support for our campaign. The only key addition we would like to see to your ask is a genuine contribution to frontline women’s safety services – the services that work with women to support them to achieve safety, justice and wellbeing from the moment they enter the service system right through to living a life free from justice. This is something we did not see in this package, and is the absolute starting point from which all other interventions should be built. Kind regards, Hayley Foster, Director – Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service NSW