❓ The Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence provides an update on the expansion of crisis accommodation in Karratha, highlighting the Cook Labor government's investment and collaboration with federal government, private sector, and community organisations to provide safe housing for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
AnsweredQoN 154Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FAMILY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — CRISIS
ACCOMMODATION — KARRATHA
154. Mr K.J.J. MICHEL to the Minister for Prevention of Family
and Domestic Violence:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
strong commitment to supporting victim–survivors escaping family and
domestic violence.
(1) Can the minister update the house on the expansion
of crisis accommodation for women and children in Karratha?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how this important expansion will provide a safe and
secure place for women and children fleeing violent relationships?
ACCOMMODATION — KARRATHA
154. Mr K.J.J. MICHEL to the Minister for Prevention of Family
and Domestic Violence:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
strong commitment to supporting victim–survivors escaping family and
domestic violence.
(1) Can the minister update the house on the expansion
of crisis accommodation for women and children in Karratha?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how this important expansion will provide a safe and
secure place for women and children fleeing violent relationships?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for Pilbara for his question, his ongoing advocacy for his
electorate and, in particular, his advocacy for vulnerable women and children.
He is doing a fabulous job. The Cook Labor government's commitment to
preventing family violence, in the seven years we have been in government, is unsurpassed and unequalled in the history of
this state. We have invested some $300 million that is making real
differences every single day to the lives of women and their children. A key
part of our investment is in supporting women who are trying to flee family and
domestic violence. Women have the right to expect a safe place to go to when
they are fleeing violent situations in their home. That is why a key plank of our $300 million investment is investment in
refuges and safe places. We have some 43 refuges and safe places right
around the state, with half of them in regional areas.
The Karratha Women's Refuge,
which I visited with the member for Pilbara, does an extraordinary job every
single day. That is why I know the member is very happy with the Albanese Labor
government's recent decision to provide $5.8 million for that service
to expand to provide 10 extra beds. That is a really, really important announcement. This funding from the Albanese government
has other important partners , including Woodside, which contributed $1
million, and Rio Tinto, which contributed $250 000, so that we can now build 14
units in total in Karratha. I am very proud that our government has also been
able to support this project via a $500 000 Lotterywest grant for fit-out
purposes to make sure that those units are comfortable as well as safe.
The Salvation Army will manage the
new units, which will be located right next door to the existing refuge, so that people staying in the new units
will get the support they need during the early days after the immediate crisis has passed, when they still need
ongoing support to be able to begin to live independently.
Members,
this is a great example of what we can achieve when the state and federal
governments, the community sector and private industry work together in a constructive,
positive way for really worthwhile outcomes
for our community. We know that family and domestic violence is everyone's
business and everyone needs to play their part. I congratulate the
Salvation Army, our private sector partners and Lotterywest.
Last week I had an opportunity to
visit the Fleetwood site with the federal Minister for Social Services, Hon
Amanda Rishworth, and inspected some of the units that are currently under
construction. They honestly look really terrific. It was also great to meet
with Major Brad Potter, the state leader of the Salvation Army, and Ms Dawn
Mills, state manager of family and domestic violence services at the Salvos,
and hear more about their work. I also met with Aboriginal representatives who
have been very, very focused on making sure to consult with Aboriginal people
so that this project has cultural security at its heart.
We have received really positive
feedback from the Salvation Army. Warren from the Salvation Army told my office
that they acknowledge the state and federal governments in working together on
this project not only in terms of the project build, but also in working
together to identify and support the new operational requirements of this
service once it opens.
The units are being built offsite,
which means that we will avoid any delays resulting from cyclones because they
can be transported straight up to the site at Karratha. We look forward to
those facilities opening up later in the year. I cannot wait to get up there to
be with the member's community in Karratha to celebrate a much-needed
support for women and children there.
thank the member for Pilbara for his question, his ongoing advocacy for his
electorate and, in particular, his advocacy for vulnerable women and children.
He is doing a fabulous job. The Cook Labor government's commitment to
preventing family violence, in the seven years we have been in government, is unsurpassed and unequalled in the history of
this state. We have invested some $300 million that is making real
differences every single day to the lives of women and their children. A key
part of our investment is in supporting women who are trying to flee family and
domestic violence. Women have the right to expect a safe place to go to when
they are fleeing violent situations in their home. That is why a key plank of our $300 million investment is investment in
refuges and safe places. We have some 43 refuges and safe places right
around the state, with half of them in regional areas.
The Karratha Women's Refuge,
which I visited with the member for Pilbara, does an extraordinary job every
single day. That is why I know the member is very happy with the Albanese Labor
government's recent decision to provide $5.8 million for that service
to expand to provide 10 extra beds. That is a really, really important announcement. This funding from the Albanese government
has other important partners , including Woodside, which contributed $1
million, and Rio Tinto, which contributed $250 000, so that we can now build 14
units in total in Karratha. I am very proud that our government has also been
able to support this project via a $500 000 Lotterywest grant for fit-out
purposes to make sure that those units are comfortable as well as safe.
The Salvation Army will manage the
new units, which will be located right next door to the existing refuge, so that people staying in the new units
will get the support they need during the early days after the immediate crisis has passed, when they still need
ongoing support to be able to begin to live independently.
Members,
this is a great example of what we can achieve when the state and federal
governments, the community sector and private industry work together in a constructive,
positive way for really worthwhile outcomes
for our community. We know that family and domestic violence is everyone's
business and everyone needs to play their part. I congratulate the
Salvation Army, our private sector partners and Lotterywest.
Last week I had an opportunity to
visit the Fleetwood site with the federal Minister for Social Services, Hon
Amanda Rishworth, and inspected some of the units that are currently under
construction. They honestly look really terrific. It was also great to meet
with Major Brad Potter, the state leader of the Salvation Army, and Ms Dawn
Mills, state manager of family and domestic violence services at the Salvos,
and hear more about their work. I also met with Aboriginal representatives who
have been very, very focused on making sure to consult with Aboriginal people
so that this project has cultural security at its heart.
We have received really positive
feedback from the Salvation Army. Warren from the Salvation Army told my office
that they acknowledge the state and federal governments in working together on
this project not only in terms of the project build, but also in working
together to identify and support the new operational requirements of this
service once it opens.
The units are being built offsite,
which means that we will avoid any delays resulting from cyclones because they
can be transported straight up to the site at Karratha. We look forward to
those facilities opening up later in the year. I cannot wait to get up there to
be with the member's community in Karratha to celebrate a much-needed
support for women and children there.
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