THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EDUCATION
SHADOW MINISTER FOR WOMEN
THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
ACTING SHADOW MINISTER FOR JUSTICE
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
TERRI BUTLER MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR PREVENTING FAMILY VIOLENCE
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR UNIVERSITIES
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR EQUALITY
MEMBER FOR GRIFFITH
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FUNDING NOT ENOUGH
Labor welcomes today's long-awaited allocation of funds for domestic violence legal services announced during the election campaign, but it does not go far enough to reverse the destructive cuts already inflicted by the Abbott-Turnbull Government.
Since coming to office, the Abbott-Turnbull Government has cut a combined $52 million from Community Legal Centres, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Centres and Legal Aid services. These are the frontline services which help domestic violence victims every day.
In the past year alone, Community Legal Centres have had to turn away 160,000 people in need because of capacity constraints. And they are facing a further 30 per cent cut on 1 July 2017.
Further funding is always welcome when it comes to an area of vital need such as domestic violence services. But today's announcement does not go anywhere near enough in making up for previous devastating cuts.
Moreover, in today's announcement the Government has once again overlooked simple reform, repeatedly called for by Rosie Batty and other advocates, that would stop domestic violence victims being cross-examined by their abusers.
This is happening every day in Australia, and it gives abusers a platform, in court, to re-traumatise their victims. This has to stop, and it is extremely disappointing the Government has not addressed this vital issue today.
FRIDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2016
