We’d love Christian Porter to be talking new money for women’s refuges but he isn’t - just another 'reannouncement'

Here at WEL we are saddened by the continuing news that there is no new funding for frontline family violence services. Almost daily we hear of yet another woman killed at the hands of her partner or ex-partner, and until attitudinal and behavioural change campaigns and programs can show real results, WEL is calling on the Government to establish a Women's and Children's Safety Program (WACS Program). With a large number women's refuges closing their doors, and the remainder struggling to provide services on limited funding, women and children remain at risk.

Asked last week about greater funding for frontline domestic violence services, Christian Porter, Minister for Social Services, said the Coalition government has done more in the past nine months than has been ever done before. Minister Porter cited $230 million for the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH).

Porter's comments last week were a 'reannouncement' of the March 2015 announcement by Scott Morrison, the then Federal Minister for Social Services. In March 2015, the Federal Government extended homelessness funding for another two years, providing $230 million under the NPAH.

Mr Morrison said the Government would provide $230 million to extend NPAH until 2017, with funding priority given to frontline services focusing on women and children experiencing domestic and family violence, and homeless youth under 18. (1)

The Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) report issued in December 2015 has no homelessness funds for 2017-2018. (2)

1 https://www.dss.gov.au/housing-support/programmes-services/national-partnership-agreement-on-homelessness

2 http://budget.gov.au/2015-16/content/myefo/html/08_attachment_d_annex_a-02.htm#A5

WEL NSW Executive Member, Mary O'Sullivan, appeared alongside Jane Mears (OWN) and Jane Brock (Immigrant Women's Speakout) at the NSW Parliament Upper House inquiry into elder abuse in NSW. 

Friendship and Feminism

A Tribute to Robyn Kemmis

By Anne Summers AO Ph.D

Memorial Service

Sydney Town Hall

Thursday 18 February 2016

WEL's 2016-17 Pre-Budget Submission recommends a benchmark against which Treasury should assess the fairness of budget measures and outlines WEL's policy position on specific measures.

Comments made by Mark Latham today in his podcast on Triple M provide a timely reminder that we have a long way to go in Australia to change attitudes about men’s violence against women.

Of note:

• The National Excellence in Educational Leadership Initiative is partnering with Women & Leadership Australia to provide a national scholarship program for female leaders across the education sector. More details here.

• Registrations are now open for the 2016 WAVE Conference and the 2016 AVETRA Conference.
• Call for presentations: ‘No Frills’ Conference 2016 (closes 22 February 2016)
• Call for presentations: VETnetwork Australia 2016 Biennial National Conference (closes 29 January 2016)

WEL NSW Executive Member, Mary O'Sullivan, writes about the joint submission made by WEL and OWN to the NSW Parliament Upper House inquiry into elder abuse in NSW and the growing challenge to the dignity, rights and well-being of older people.

Wendy McCarthy AO, one of WEL's founders and long time member, will address members at the WEL NSW AGM on Saturday 28 November. The title of Wendy's talk is Women's refuges - where to now?

Today there is great news from SOS Women's Services for women's and girls' refuges. The NSW Government has made a major announcement that there will be no tender process in 18 months and all women's refuges and other services will be funded until 2020.

Congratulations to Ludo McFerran, one of the finalists for the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) 2015 Human Rights Community Award.