❓ Ms. Baker asks about the implementation of the McGowan government's domestic violence policy. The Minister responds by highlighting initiatives like the Breathing Space program and increased funding, while also criticizing the previous government's approach.
AnsweredQoN 448Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MCGOWAN GOVERNMENT —
FAMILY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICIES
448. Ms L.L. BAKER to the Minister for Prevention of Family
and Domestic Violence:
(1) Can the
minister please update the house on implementation of the McGowan Labor
government's stop family and domestic violence policy as it works to
create safer communities in WA?
(2) In
particular, why should the house be interested in why perpetrator intervention
is a critical part of this response?
FAMILY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICIES
448. Ms L.L. BAKER to the Minister for Prevention of Family
and Domestic Violence:
(1) Can the
minister please update the house on implementation of the McGowan Labor
government's stop family and domestic violence policy as it works to
create safer communities in WA?
(2) In
particular, why should the house be interested in why perpetrator intervention
is a critical part of this response?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question,
particularly her community's contribution regarding the announcement we
made this week.
(1)–(2) The
announcement we made this week was about meeting another one of our election
commitments to reduce the impact of domestic violence in our community and for
those families affected by domestic violence to try to build new lives. One of
our commitments leading into the 2017 election was to open another Breathing
Space residential perpetrator facility. We announced this week that a second
facility has been opened in Maylands. There is one in the southern suburbs and
now one in the northern suburbs of Perth. In fact, those residential facilities
are available for any men throughout the state who want to change their
behaviour. We are very indebted to the work of Communicare that does that work
and to the peak body that represents the work of the perpetrator interventions
in trying to get men to change their behaviour—that is, stopping family
violence.
Of course, not only domestic
violence, but any sort of intimate family abuse is unacceptable. This Saturday,
as we go to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we also acknowledge that too many
families are terribly affected by abuse by an intimate partner or family
member. I therefore acknowledge the work of the Minister for Seniors and Ageing
in his work around elder abuse awareness.
We have done and continue to do a range
of things to combat domestic violence. This budget brings to a total of $53 million
in new spend on a range of services to combat and to try to prevent domestic
violence. I am very proud of our government's commitment. A few weeks
ago, the Premier and I sat with the CEOs for Gender Equity Western Australia,
comprising a couple of dozen business and community leaders, to look at how
they can work with business in preventing and combating domestic violence. I really
welcome their contribution.
It is in sharp contrast to the sort
of buy-in we saw when the current Leader of the Opposition was a minister in
the previous government. I think it is important because we now have an
acknowledgement across all levels of the community that domestic and intimate
partner violence is not acceptable. When this question was asked to the now
current Leader of the Opposition when she was police minister and Minister for
Women's Interests, about definitions of domestic violence, she said
that domestic violence was not her responsibility and was something that she
could not answer.
Mrs L.M. Harvey interjected.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the
Opposition!
Ms S.F. McGURK : Of course,
domestic violence is all about responsibility, and understanding the forms of
domestic violence and combating domestic violence is all about responsibility.
Mrs L.M. Harvey interjected.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the
Opposition!
Ms S.F. McGURK : It is all
about responsibility at all layers of government and in the community, in the
union movement, in business —
Several members interjected.
Ms S.F. McGURK : Yes, that is
right. I hope members across the chamber from me understand that it is all our
responsibility to understand how domestic violence manifests.
Mr P.A. Katsambanis interjected.
The SPEAKER : We heard you
the first couple of times, member.
Ms S.F. McGURK : I have made
comments about that publicly, as has the Premier. We think it is important to
call out bad behaviour wherever it exists. I am very proud of the efforts our
government has taken and continues to take to combat domestic violence.
particularly her community's contribution regarding the announcement we
made this week.
(1)–(2) The
announcement we made this week was about meeting another one of our election
commitments to reduce the impact of domestic violence in our community and for
those families affected by domestic violence to try to build new lives. One of
our commitments leading into the 2017 election was to open another Breathing
Space residential perpetrator facility. We announced this week that a second
facility has been opened in Maylands. There is one in the southern suburbs and
now one in the northern suburbs of Perth. In fact, those residential facilities
are available for any men throughout the state who want to change their
behaviour. We are very indebted to the work of Communicare that does that work
and to the peak body that represents the work of the perpetrator interventions
in trying to get men to change their behaviour—that is, stopping family
violence.
Of course, not only domestic
violence, but any sort of intimate family abuse is unacceptable. This Saturday,
as we go to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we also acknowledge that too many
families are terribly affected by abuse by an intimate partner or family
member. I therefore acknowledge the work of the Minister for Seniors and Ageing
in his work around elder abuse awareness.
We have done and continue to do a range
of things to combat domestic violence. This budget brings to a total of $53 million
in new spend on a range of services to combat and to try to prevent domestic
violence. I am very proud of our government's commitment. A few weeks
ago, the Premier and I sat with the CEOs for Gender Equity Western Australia,
comprising a couple of dozen business and community leaders, to look at how
they can work with business in preventing and combating domestic violence. I really
welcome their contribution.
It is in sharp contrast to the sort
of buy-in we saw when the current Leader of the Opposition was a minister in
the previous government. I think it is important because we now have an
acknowledgement across all levels of the community that domestic and intimate
partner violence is not acceptable. When this question was asked to the now
current Leader of the Opposition when she was police minister and Minister for
Women's Interests, about definitions of domestic violence, she said
that domestic violence was not her responsibility and was something that she
could not answer.
Mrs L.M. Harvey interjected.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the
Opposition!
Ms S.F. McGURK : Of course,
domestic violence is all about responsibility, and understanding the forms of
domestic violence and combating domestic violence is all about responsibility.
Mrs L.M. Harvey interjected.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the
Opposition!
Ms S.F. McGURK : It is all
about responsibility at all layers of government and in the community, in the
union movement, in business —
Several members interjected.
Ms S.F. McGURK : Yes, that is
right. I hope members across the chamber from me understand that it is all our
responsibility to understand how domestic violence manifests.
Mr P.A. Katsambanis interjected.
The SPEAKER : We heard you
the first couple of times, member.
Ms S.F. McGURK : I have made
comments about that publicly, as has the Premier. We think it is important to
call out bad behaviour wherever it exists. I am very proud of the efforts our
government has taken and continues to take to combat domestic violence.
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