Palaszczuk Government partners with LGAQ to prevent DFV

The Palaszczuk Government is partnering with the Local Government Association of Queensland to address domestic and family violence across Queensland.

Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women Di Farmer said the Palaszczuk Government was providing $75,000 in a cost sharing arrangement with the LGAQ to fund a dedicated domestic and family violence prevention project officer for a year.

“This government has done more than any before it to address domestic and family violence – we have delivered all 140 recommendations of the Not Now, Not Ever report, underpinned by an investment of almost $330 million,” she said.

“But government can’t do it alone, which is why a signature action under our Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy Third Action Plan is to partner with other sectors, including the local government sector, to take action both within their organisations and in the community.

“Often I hear from organisations that they want to take action and they want to work on community initiatives, but they don’t know where to start.

“Having a dedicated domestic and family violence prevention project officer embedded within the peak body for local government authorities will give councils the support they need to get started, and will make it easier to share good ideas and best practice with councils across Queensland.”

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said councils had an immense ability to reach the community and influence community attitudes.

“Almost everyone in a community comes into contact with their council, whether that’s through contacting their councillor, or through using council facilities and programs,” he said.

“This DFV prevention project officer will support councils to be leaders in their community around domestic and family violence, by identifying best practice within councils and sharing that with local government authorities across Queensland, and by developing resources to support LGAs.

“Some councils are already doing some really great work in this space – Mackay, Toowoomba and Redlands, for example – and we know many councils are keen to do more.

“With this support we expect to see more councils leading DFV initiatives, or engaging with local community initiatives.”

LGAQ president Mark Jamieson said the initiative would ensure councils were better placed to advocate for the resources their communities needed to tackle domestic and family violence.

“As the level of government closest to the community, councils have a unique ability to influence Queensland for the better,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“The DFV prevention project officer will assist councils to better position their communities to combat the terrible scourge of domestic and family violence and reduce its inter-generational impacts.”

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams welcomed the cost-sharing commitment.

“With 77 councils across Queensland, some of which are remote, indigenous or isolated; having a single point of contact to help coordinate resources and advocate to the State Government makes a great deal of sense,” Mayor Williams said.

Minister Farmer congratulated LGAQ for taking the opportunity to help support councils across Queensland to address DFV.

“As the peak body for local government authorities, LGAQ are leaders within the local government sector,” she said.

“This kind of partnership initiative is exactly what we want to see more of in Queensland, organisations using their power and influence to do good right across the state.”

ENDS

Media contacts:

Minister Farmer - Cat Milton 0447 117 132

Minister Hinchliffe - Bernadette Condren 0417 296 116

LGAQ - Sarah Vogler 0438 447 370