Townsville residents to have their say on domestic and family violence

Townsville residents will have an opportunity tomorrow to have their say on how North Queensland can tackle the scourge of domestic and family violence.

The Townsville City Council Forecourt will host an information hub on domestic and family violence and residents can drop in anytime between 11 am and 3 pm.

The information hub will coincide with the Townsville City Council Domestic and Family Violence Day of Action March, which starts at 11 am in Flinders Square and ends in the Council Forecourt.

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland and Mundingburra MP Coralee O’Rourke said it was time for North Queenslanders to come together as a community to end the violence.

“Sadly, domestic and family violence happens every day across Queensland, and reaches every corner of our communities,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“I don’t want to see another life lost at the hands of a loved one,” she said.

“Domestic and family violence in any form is absolutely not acceptable, and there’s no place for it in our community. We need to make a stand against this problem together.”

Minister O’Rourke said the information hub provided an important opportunity for residents to talk to officers about the Palaszczuk Government’s strategy to end domestic and family violence.

“I encourage Townsville residents to get along to the information hub tomorrow at the Council Forecourt to share their ideas and views on how we can tackle this important issue,” she said.

“I’m also chairing a domestic and family violence roundtable with community leaders and service providers, which will look at local solutions.

“The Palaszczuk Government has allocated more than $3.7 million over three years for services to tackle domestic and family violence in Townsville, as well as $8 million to establish and run new crisis shelters in Townsville and Brisbane.

“We need commitment from government, community and business to end the violence together.”

In February, the Premier announced the Queensland Government’s commitment to realise the vision of the Not Now, Not Ever: Putting an End to Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland report. The Palaszczuk Government accepted all 140 of the report recommendations including the 121 directed at government, and will invest $31.3 million over four years to implement them.

For more on the information hub go to qld.gov.au/enddomesticandfamilyviolence

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, call the statewide helplines – DVConnect Womensline 1800 811 811 or Mensline 1800 600 636.

Media Contact:          Minister O’Rourke’s office                  3719 7184