Budget fulfils commitment to tackle domestic violence

The Palaszczuk Government has fulfilled its promise to fight domestic violence with 24 new specialist Police officers across the state.

And the frontline officers will be backed with a $133 million commitment to help women and children experiencing domestic violence.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said the 24 Police officers would work as domestic and family violence coordinators, fulfilling an election commitment.

“These officers will be allocated throughout Queensland where they will provide specialist education and training to operational officers and assist other government and non-government agencies to better address domestic violence-related issues,” Mr Ryan said.

Mr Ryan said this would lift the number of DV coordinator officers from 30 to 54.

“Our Police are dealing with domestic violence on the front line every single day, and these coordinators will provide them with the support they need.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer said the budget funded renewed contracts for more than 50 domestic violence shelters and support services across Queensland with a $133 million investment over five years.

“The fight against domestic and family violence has reached a critical point, and this Budget means we can continue to make real inroads,” Ms Farmer said.

“Our Bystander Campaign and our record support for domestic violence services means we are doing more to end domestic violence than any Queensland Government ever has.

“Three more shelters will soon come online, bringing to seven the number built by the Palaszczuk Government. These are the first shelters built by a Queensland government in more than two decades.”

Ms Farmer said the new shelters, on the Northern Gold Coast, in the Caboolture region and at Roma, will be a safe-haven for women and children who make the courageous decision to escape violent homes and will provide the support they need to rebuild their lives.

“There are currently 51 shelters providing more than 300 places of safe temporary overnight accommodation,” she said.

“This funding announcement will give long-term certainty to the various organisations that run the shelters and the professional specialist services they provide to women and families in need.

“It will keep the shelters operating and help keep women and their families safe.”

The Roma shelter, to be run by Save the Children with $560,000 in annual funding from the Palaszczuk Government, will open during the 2018-19 financial year and will provide five self-contained units.

The new shelters in Caboolture and on the Gold Coast will be built and operated at a cost of $6.8 million over three years and will open in the 2018-19 financial year.

Ms Farmer said the Palaszczuk Government had already invested more heavily than any previous government on multi-faceted approaches to tackle family and domestic violence and the 2018 Budget would go further still.

“This year’s Budget continues a $14.2 million investment to domestic violence services involving counselling services for victims, court-based support, sexual assault services, post-crisis support and a range of services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“There will also be funding for a further two High Risk Teams in Mackay and Moreton Bay, adding to the teams currently operating in Logan/Beenleigh, Mount Isa, Cherbourg, Brisbane, Ipswich and Cairns.

“And the Budget will include a $8.1 million funding boost over four years to expand the specialist Domestic and Family Violence Court in Townsville, including the circuit court in Palm Island and Mount Isa.”

Overall the Palaszczuk Government is investing $328.9 million over six years from 2015-16 to implement the recommendations from the Not Now, Not Ever report.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Minister Ryan – Phil Willmington 0411 535 180, Minister Farmer - Ron Goodman 0427 781 920

Information for reporters:

The Police Commissioner has advised that the coordinators will be deployed as follows