❓ Ms. Hammat asks about the delivery of the Cook Labor government's $72.6 million investment to stop family and domestic violence and how it supports women escaping violence. The Minister details investments, particularly the Stirling refuge redevelopment, and highlights partnerships with local governments.
AnsweredQoN 206Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FAMILY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
206. Ms M.J. HAMMAT to the Minister for Prevention of Family
and Domestic Violence:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
ongoing commitment to support victim–survivors of family and domestic
violence.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on the delivery of this government's recent
$72.6 million investment to help stop family and domestic violence?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how this important investment will support women who
are escaping violence to find a safe refuge?
206. Ms M.J. HAMMAT to the Minister for Prevention of Family
and Domestic Violence:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
ongoing commitment to support victim–survivors of family and domestic
violence.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on the delivery of this government's recent
$72.6 million investment to help stop family and domestic violence?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how this important investment will support women who
are escaping violence to find a safe refuge?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for her question and ongoing advocacy in her electorate,
particularly for vulnerable women and children escaping domestic violence.
Family and domestic violence is a scourge right around the nation. It exists in
every town, suburb and neighbourhood. It is a nationwide problem. But we know
that the Cook Labor government, since 2017, has been absolutely committed to
addressing family and domestic violence, whether it is through creating a portfolio
and Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic
Violence or our record investment of over $300 million since 2017. It sees a focus
on key supports in terms of crisis support for women and children
fleeing violence. It is an important investment around holding perpetrators to account. It importantly also funds primary
prevention and working towards stopping violence before it begins.
In November last year, as part of the
16 Days in WA campaign, the Premier announced $72.6 million of important
investments into the sector. A really important part of that announcement was a
significant investment into crisis support. What I am referring to in
particular today, and want to explain to the house, is the $22.6 million
investment to the Stirling refuge that will see us replace and expand that
important refuge. Many members would know
that that refuge has been around for many years. In fact, I think it was the first actual dedicated refuge in the state. It is an ageing facility. This
important investment will see us not only expand the refuge, but also modernise
it so that it is actually fitting for victims who come and need that service.
Importantly, it comes about as the
result of a really important partnership with the City of Stirling. I want to
put on the record in this place that the City of Stirling, as a local
government authority, has always prioritised the prevention of family and
domestic violence and supporting victim–survivors. It does an important
job in partnering with not only government, but also various local service
providers. I want to commend it for its work.
As I said, at the moment the refuge
is funded to accommodate women and their dependent children who are escaping
violence. The redevelopment will increase the capacity and, importantly, also
provide more independent units. The expansion will see the tripling of the size
of the refuge from five rooms, where women
currently have to share bathrooms and other amenities, to something that will
be modern and provide 16 independent units comprising a mix of two to
three bedrooms. The architects have been appointed to develop the concept
design in partnership with the council. I am happy to say that the City of
Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin described the council as being thrilled with the
investment after having worked closely with the department to develop a business
case on this proposal. It is a really good example of local governments working
with state governments together with local partners on important infrastructure
projects needed throughout the state.
Of course, the government also
announced last year an important funding extension to Naala Djookan Healing
Centre, which is one of the four one-stop hubs that we have invested over $60 million
in. There is one in Armadale, Mirrabooka, Kalgoorlie and one is coming soon to
Broome. The City of Stirling has always been a great champion and we are happy
to work in partnership with it.
I look forward to updating the house
as we roll out the $72.6 million worth of investment. But it is really
important to emphasise that rolling out investment requires one to work in
partnership with not only ministerial colleagues, but also constructively with
local governments. We need to be able to partner and have great working
relationships with stakeholders. That is something the other side needs to
learn how to do.
thank the member for her question and ongoing advocacy in her electorate,
particularly for vulnerable women and children escaping domestic violence.
Family and domestic violence is a scourge right around the nation. It exists in
every town, suburb and neighbourhood. It is a nationwide problem. But we know
that the Cook Labor government, since 2017, has been absolutely committed to
addressing family and domestic violence, whether it is through creating a portfolio
and Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic
Violence or our record investment of over $300 million since 2017. It sees a focus
on key supports in terms of crisis support for women and children
fleeing violence. It is an important investment around holding perpetrators to account. It importantly also funds primary
prevention and working towards stopping violence before it begins.
In November last year, as part of the
16 Days in WA campaign, the Premier announced $72.6 million of important
investments into the sector. A really important part of that announcement was a
significant investment into crisis support. What I am referring to in
particular today, and want to explain to the house, is the $22.6 million
investment to the Stirling refuge that will see us replace and expand that
important refuge. Many members would know
that that refuge has been around for many years. In fact, I think it was the first actual dedicated refuge in the state. It is an ageing facility. This
important investment will see us not only expand the refuge, but also modernise
it so that it is actually fitting for victims who come and need that service.
Importantly, it comes about as the
result of a really important partnership with the City of Stirling. I want to
put on the record in this place that the City of Stirling, as a local
government authority, has always prioritised the prevention of family and
domestic violence and supporting victim–survivors. It does an important
job in partnering with not only government, but also various local service
providers. I want to commend it for its work.
As I said, at the moment the refuge
is funded to accommodate women and their dependent children who are escaping
violence. The redevelopment will increase the capacity and, importantly, also
provide more independent units. The expansion will see the tripling of the size
of the refuge from five rooms, where women
currently have to share bathrooms and other amenities, to something that will
be modern and provide 16 independent units comprising a mix of two to
three bedrooms. The architects have been appointed to develop the concept
design in partnership with the council. I am happy to say that the City of
Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin described the council as being thrilled with the
investment after having worked closely with the department to develop a business
case on this proposal. It is a really good example of local governments working
with state governments together with local partners on important infrastructure
projects needed throughout the state.
Of course, the government also
announced last year an important funding extension to Naala Djookan Healing
Centre, which is one of the four one-stop hubs that we have invested over $60 million
in. There is one in Armadale, Mirrabooka, Kalgoorlie and one is coming soon to
Broome. The City of Stirling has always been a great champion and we are happy
to work in partnership with it.
I look forward to updating the house
as we roll out the $72.6 million worth of investment. But it is really
important to emphasise that rolling out investment requires one to work in
partnership with not only ministerial colleagues, but also constructively with
local governments. We need to be able to partner and have great working
relationships with stakeholders. That is something the other side needs to
learn how to do.
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