❓ A member of parliament questions the Minister about alleged budget cuts to domestic violence support, referencing recent tragedies and the Premier's claims about prioritizing families. The Minister denies the cuts and defends the government's record on addressing domestic violence.
AnsweredQoN 244Legislative Assembly
Asked
11 May 2004
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women’s
Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the most recent tragic domestic violence incidents in which two women were killed by their partners, leaving children without their mother. I also refer to the Premier’s claim last week that his Government has delivered a budget that puts families first. (1) Is the minister aware that in last week’s budget her Government has actually cut funding for “policy development and coordination to support families and individuals experiencing family and domestic violence” by nearly seven per cent? (2) Will the minister now concede that she is all talk and no action on family violence? (3) Will the minister now immediately approach the Treasurer and request that funding to this crucial area be not only restored but also increased? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. As it has done in other questions, the Opposition has a tendency in this place to make assertions that are unfounded. I will not respond to an assertion that this Government has cut funding to such an important social area. (1) Our record stands on the critical decisions we have made over the past three and a half years. Once again, I will talk about the funding of the Gordon inquiry, which was very clearly aimed at domestic violence and sexual abuse. (2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
(1) Is the minister aware that in last week’s budget her Government has actually cut funding for “policy development and coordination to support families and individuals experiencing family and domestic violence” by nearly seven per cent? (2) Will the minister now concede that she is all talk and no action on family violence? (3) Will the minister now immediately approach the Treasurer and request that funding to this crucial area be not only restored but also increased? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. As it has done in other questions, the Opposition has a tendency in this place to make assertions that are unfounded. I will not respond to an assertion that this Government has cut funding to such an important social area. (1) Our record stands on the critical decisions we have made over the past three and a half years. Once again, I will talk about the funding of the Gordon inquiry, which was very clearly aimed at domestic violence and sexual abuse. (2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
(2) Will the minister now concede that she is all talk and no action on family violence? (3) Will the minister now immediately approach the Treasurer and request that funding to this crucial area be not only restored but also increased? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. As it has done in other questions, the Opposition has a tendency in this place to make assertions that are unfounded. I will not respond to an assertion that this Government has cut funding to such an important social area. (1) Our record stands on the critical decisions we have made over the past three and a half years. Once again, I will talk about the funding of the Gordon inquiry, which was very clearly aimed at domestic violence and sexual abuse. (2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
(3) Will the minister now immediately approach the Treasurer and request that funding to this crucial area be not only restored but also increased? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. As it has done in other questions, the Opposition has a tendency in this place to make assertions that are unfounded. I will not respond to an assertion that this Government has cut funding to such an important social area. (1) Our record stands on the critical decisions we have made over the past three and a half years. Once again, I will talk about the funding of the Gordon inquiry, which was very clearly aimed at domestic violence and sexual abuse. (2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. As it has done in other questions, the Opposition has a tendency in this place to make assertions that are unfounded. I will not respond to an assertion that this Government has cut funding to such an important social area. (1) Our record stands on the critical decisions we have made over the past three and a half years. Once again, I will talk about the funding of the Gordon inquiry, which was very clearly aimed at domestic violence and sexual abuse. (2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. As it has done in other questions, the Opposition has a tendency in this place to make assertions that are unfounded. I will not respond to an assertion that this Government has cut funding to such an important social area. (1) Our record stands on the critical decisions we have made over the past three and a half years. Once again, I will talk about the funding of the Gordon inquiry, which was very clearly aimed at domestic violence and sexual abuse. (2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
As it has done in other questions, the Opposition has a tendency in this place to make assertions that are unfounded. I will not respond to an assertion that this Government has cut funding to such an important social area. (1) Our record stands on the critical decisions we have made over the past three and a half years. Once again, I will talk about the funding of the Gordon inquiry, which was very clearly aimed at domestic violence and sexual abuse. (2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
(1) Our record stands on the critical decisions we have made over the past three and a half years. Once again, I will talk about the funding of the Gordon inquiry, which was very clearly aimed at domestic violence and sexual abuse. (2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
(2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
(3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
(1) Is the minister aware that in last week’s budget her Government has actually cut funding for “policy development and coordination to support families and individuals experiencing family and domestic violence” by nearly seven per cent? (2) Will the minister now concede that she is all talk and no action on family violence? (3) Will the minister now immediately approach the Treasurer and request that funding to this crucial area be not only restored but also increased? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. As it has done in other questions, the Opposition has a tendency in this place to make assertions that are unfounded. I will not respond to an assertion that this Government has cut funding to such an important social area. (1) Our record stands on the critical decisions we have made over the past three and a half years. Once again, I will talk about the funding of the Gordon inquiry, which was very clearly aimed at domestic violence and sexual abuse. (2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
(2) Will the minister now concede that she is all talk and no action on family violence? (3) Will the minister now immediately approach the Treasurer and request that funding to this crucial area be not only restored but also increased? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. As it has done in other questions, the Opposition has a tendency in this place to make assertions that are unfounded. I will not respond to an assertion that this Government has cut funding to such an important social area. (1) Our record stands on the critical decisions we have made over the past three and a half years. Once again, I will talk about the funding of the Gordon inquiry, which was very clearly aimed at domestic violence and sexual abuse. (2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
(3) Will the minister now immediately approach the Treasurer and request that funding to this crucial area be not only restored but also increased? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. As it has done in other questions, the Opposition has a tendency in this place to make assertions that are unfounded. I will not respond to an assertion that this Government has cut funding to such an important social area. (1) Our record stands on the critical decisions we have made over the past three and a half years. Once again, I will talk about the funding of the Gordon inquiry, which was very clearly aimed at domestic violence and sexual abuse. (2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. As it has done in other questions, the Opposition has a tendency in this place to make assertions that are unfounded. I will not respond to an assertion that this Government has cut funding to such an important social area. (1) Our record stands on the critical decisions we have made over the past three and a half years. Once again, I will talk about the funding of the Gordon inquiry, which was very clearly aimed at domestic violence and sexual abuse. (2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. As it has done in other questions, the Opposition has a tendency in this place to make assertions that are unfounded. I will not respond to an assertion that this Government has cut funding to such an important social area. (1) Our record stands on the critical decisions we have made over the past three and a half years. Once again, I will talk about the funding of the Gordon inquiry, which was very clearly aimed at domestic violence and sexual abuse. (2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
As it has done in other questions, the Opposition has a tendency in this place to make assertions that are unfounded. I will not respond to an assertion that this Government has cut funding to such an important social area. (1) Our record stands on the critical decisions we have made over the past three and a half years. Once again, I will talk about the funding of the Gordon inquiry, which was very clearly aimed at domestic violence and sexual abuse. (2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
(1) Our record stands on the critical decisions we have made over the past three and a half years. Once again, I will talk about the funding of the Gordon inquiry, which was very clearly aimed at domestic violence and sexual abuse. (2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
(2) No. (3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
(3) The Government is funding programs to try to solve the domestic violence problem according to its election commitments. It has increased funding to very important bodies such as the domestic violence regional councils. It is funding a men’s service and it is looking at funding the second domestic violence advocacy centre in Rockingham. It is also looking at funding a further men’s service. It has increased the amount of support in the Police Service for women and families. The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
The community must accept that one death from domestic violence is too many. Domestic violence is neither justified nor acceptable in any circumstance. I will continue to sheet home that message to the perpetrators of such insidious crimes. It is ludicrous for the Opposition to come into this Chamber and say that the Government is not addressing domestic violence and other social issues that the Opposition cannot even comprehend. This Government is supporting the women and families who have been involved in domestic violence. It is about to introduce very stringent legislation concerning domestic violence, the like of which the community will see as good legislation coming from a Government that is promoting good social issues.
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