Budget boost to protect Queenslanders from violence

• The Miles Government commits $154.4 million over four years to address domestic, family and sexual violence
  
  
• Funding of more than $38.4 million will now be made recurrent in the 2024-25 State Budget
  
  
• The investment will strengthen frontline services and increase the workforce
  
  

Queensland’s quest to end all forms of domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) has been bolstered with new funding of more than $118 million for the next four years.

The money will go to the DFSV sector to support frontline services and violence-prevention programs and follows on from the Miles Government’s financial boost of $36 million in April, taking total funding to $154.4 million over four years.

The Budget will now make this increase recurrent, with funding to rise by 20 per cent.

This means $36 million will go direct to service providers while the remaining funds will be used to support the sector as they implement initiatives addressing domestic, family and sexual violence.

Since 2015, the Miles Labor Government has committed more than $1.9 billion towards stopping all forms of domestic and family violence and to improve women’s safety across Queensland.

This includes a $588 million package to respond to the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce’s two reports.

About $100 million has also been invested into addressing recommendations of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service responses to domestic and family violence.

Earlier this year, almost $56 million was announced for domestic and family violence initiatives, including appointing the Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) to establish a new peak body for the sector, the implementation of Queensland’s Plan for the Primary Prevention of Violence Against Women 2024-2028.

The Miles Government also announced a comprehensive training and change management framework supported by a state-wide Training Support and Coordination Service.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick:

“The Miles Labor Government knows frontline services play a critical and at many times life-saving role helping thousands of women and children escape domestic and family violence.

“That’s why we increased our funding to domestic and family violence support service providers by 20 per cent.

“In this year’s budget, the Miles Labor Government cemented this commitment, investing $154.4 million over four years to ensure these vital frontline service providers have the funding they need.

“It shows we are committed to making meaningful, lasting change for families around Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Yvette D’Ath:

“This Budget strengthens our capacity to combat violence against women and children.

“Reported rates of domestic and family violence have increased alarmingly in recent years, placing services under immense pressure.

“This Budget invests in services and staff to meet the increasing demand and support victim-survivors, whether it be by providing counselling or helping find emergency accommodation.

“It will also help fund programs which will specifically try to break the cycle of violence through strategies targeting the people who use violence or are at risk of using violence.

“Our overriding goal is to end all forms of domestic and family violence and protect all Queenslanders.”

Quotes attributable to Co-Chair, Ending Violence Against Women and Children Queensland, Amie Carrington:

“We welcome the announcement today that the 20% funding boost will now be recurring.

“Recurring funding ensures increased sustainability for our specialist workforce, who provide essential frontline services to the community.

“This is a positive step towards resourcing the growing need for our essential services.”

ENDS