Extra $1.26 million to make Mornington Island safer for children

The safety and wellbeing of vulnerable young children and their families on Mornington Island will be enhanced thanks to a $1.26 million boost in Queensland Government funding.

Minister for Communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Warren Pitt said the Indigenous Families Support Unit (Gulf and West Queensland Region) Aboriginal Corporation would receive the funds during the next two years to provide interim early intervention and prevention responses to domestic and family violence.

“This funding has been allocated under the Safe Havens initiative to assist children and young people aged up to 18 years experiencing family violence in four Indigenous communities,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Indigenous Families Support Unit will work with the Junkuri Laka Justice Group and North West Primary Health Care to deliver youth activities, community capacity building, family counselling and brokerage services in the region.

“The aim is to provide these interim services through a one-stop community hub, which is expected to be established in the near future.”

A joint, three-year, $17.83 million initiative of the Queensland and Commonwealth governments, Safe Havens provide timely and effective services to help children experiencing family violence in the Mornington Island, Palm Island, Coen and Cherbourg communities.

Mr Pitt said more than $2.1 million had been allocated in the 2007–08 State Budget for Safe Haven services in the four communities.

“Safe Havens will provide a short-term safe environment for children and young people, and will support families who need help dealing with the issues that cause domestic and family violence,” he said.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3235 4280