WOMEN’S SAFETY MINISTERS MEETING A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

SENATOR JENNY MCALLISTER.
Inbox.News digital newspaper topper logo
3 years ago
WOMEN’S SAFETY MINISTERS MEETING A MISSED OPPORTUNITY
SENATOR JENNY MCALLISTER
Yesterday’s Women’s Safety Ministers meeting was an opportunity for the Morrison government to show that they are listening to women and their advocates.
 
Sadly, reports from the meeting suggest that this is another opportunity they have missed. 
 
Frontline domestic violence services providers have been clear. The increased demand for their services from the pandemic has not gone away and cutting additional Commonwealth support too early is dangerous. 
 
The domestic and family violence sector is calling for additional funding for essential services that help women and children fleeing violence. These services include emergency accommodation, counselling, and legal support. 
 
The Commonwealth had a choice to listen to Australian women, but instead they’ve decided to do what they’ve done for the last 7 years – very little. 
 
Australians will be forgiven for thinking that the only outcome of Scott Morrison’s inaugural Women’s Cabinet Taskforce meeting was a few glossy photos posted on Twitter. 
 
On Wednesday, the Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg said there was an “obvious need” for further funding. Women and children experiencing domestic violence need the Government to recognise that it has the power to make a real difference to their lives.  
 
Women