National Cabinet leaders agree to $4.7 billion plan to fight domestic and family violence

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Deputy leader of the opposition Susan Ley has criticised the speed of the plan's implementation, saying dozens of women could die before services receive funding. She says the issue needs a rapid response.

Transcript

00:00We will always work positively with the Government when it comes to domestic violence.

00:08We all must do everything we can to stop this tide of violence.

00:13But it's also the Opposition's job to make sure that the Government is accountable.

00:19And on that, I want to make some remarks about timeframes, accountability and delivery.

00:27Not one dollar of this funding will start to flow until the middle of 2025.

00:36That is 10 months away.

00:38Sadly, on the current trajectory of women losing their lives, being killed by a man,

00:46we would see 40 more women lose their lives before a dollar of this money is spent.

00:55If the Prime Minister thought it was important to have a rapid review, he should also have

01:01a rapid response.

01:03A rapid review is deserving of a rapid response.

01:07And waiting 10 months before a single dollar goes to a single service to help women who

01:15are desperately in need of that help, I don't think that's good enough.

01:19And when we look at the women who are desperately in need of help, they rely on caseworkers.

01:24And in October 2022, the Government funded the delivery of 500 frontline caseworkers

01:32in domestic violence services.

01:34I was disappointed today to see the to-and-fro, the bun fight between the states and the Federal

01:40Government.

01:41This issue is too important for that.

01:43We had a commitment to deliver 500 frontline workers.

01:47Now where are they?

01:49The Government must do better.

01:51The states are saying the policy settings aren't right.

01:54The Government is saying we've done our job.

01:56No they haven't.

01:57Come on, Mr Albanese.

01:58No money for 10 months and no indication of more frontline domestic workers.

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