Budget strengthens women’s safety and economic security

Queensland women and girls are at the forefront of the Palaszczuk Government’s 2022-23 budget.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk released the government’s 2022-23 Women’s Budget Statement today and said the budget builds on the momentum generated by the Queensland Women’s Strategy 2022-27 with ongoing investment in initiatives that strengthened women’s safety and economic security.

“Our government is committed to building a Queensland where women and girls have equal access to the opportunities afforded by our great state,” the Premier said.

“Women’s safety and tackling violence against women remains a top priority.

“This budget includes the investment of $363 million to respond to the first report of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce.

“This investment in our systems, communities and first responders will increase our ability to understand, identify and respond to coercive control and enable us to criminalise this far too prevalent form of abuse.

“We are providing total funding of $60.4 million over four years and $19.1 million per annum ongoing to continue to roll out specialist domestic and family courts,” she said.

“More than $164 million will support our hardworking and dedicated domestic, family and sexual violence services this year.

“And in addition to this, we’re investing $163.4 million to provide housing, support and specialist homeless services for our state’s most vulnerable people, including older women and those experiencing domestic and family violence.”

Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman said gender equality was directly linked to women’s economic independence, which is why the budget continued to invest in women’s economic participation and skills pathways.

“When women and girls can fully participate in all aspects of society, the economy and state are strengthened,” Minister Fentiman said.

“The 2022-23 Budget includes $100 million in funding for the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program to give vulnerable Queenslanders the hands-on support they need to gain a qualification and get a job.

“In addition, the Female Founders program will invest $890,000 to continue to deliver a suite of support and capability programs to help Queensland women start and grow innovative businesses.

“We’re also investing $35 million through the Back to Work program, which will continue to support women, young people, First Nations people, people with disabilities and long-term unemployed Queenslanders to get back into jobs.”

Minister Fentiman said the budget included significant support for women and girls interacting with the justice system, including those affected by domestic and family violence.

“The Palaszczuk Government is delivering significant reforms to the justice system to prioritise victim safety, hold perpetrators to account and ensure people impacted by domestic and family violence are supported through the court system,” she said.

“These specialist courts have proven effective at providing specialised services and wrap-around support for victims of domestic and family violence.

“In addition, we’re investing $2.7 million in 2022-23 in programs for women who are in contact with the courts, to reduce their risk of entering or returning to prison.”

Minister Fentiman said she was proud of the investment the Queensland Government was making in women’s empowerment and recognition.

“We recognise the resilience and strength of women with diverse experiences and backgrounds and are continuing to invest in initiatives that improve their safety and provide the same opportunities as everyone else.”

In 2022-23, the budget delivers:

• $45.9 million to 43 Intensive Family Support services to support families with multiple and complex challenges
• $14.3 million to provide students in all Queensland state schools, outdoor education centres and student residential facilities and 16 non-state schools with free access to period products as part of the expanded Share the Dignity in Queensland schools initiative
• $2.8 million to encourage young Aboriginal women and young Torres Strait Islander women to remain actively engaged in education and complete Year 12 through their attendance at school engagement programs delivered by the Stars Foundation, Netball Queensland and the Brisbane Broncos
• $7.7 million on an annual ongoing basis for expanded elder abuse prevention and intervention services
• $540,000 annually for the Investing in Queensland Women grant program to support events and projects that advance gender equality, respect for women, and promote and protect the rights and wellbeing of women and girls across the state
• $1.5 million over three years for the Gendered Response to Bail Support Service for girls and young women aged 10-17 years at risk of being remanded into custody

For more information about the State Budget visit budget.qld.gov.au.

ENDS

Media contact: Inga Williams 0439 949 719