Labor pledges $60 million to help women fleeing domestic violence

Labor has pledged to create 20,000 funding packages for people fleeing domestic violence if they are elected to government.

Bill Shorten says says Labor is "positively disposed" towards the trade pact.

Bill Shorten says says Labor is "positively disposed" towards the trade pact. Source: AAP

Labor has pledged to inject $60 million into tailored support for Australians to rebuild their lives after fleeing abusive relationships. 

Bill Shorten's government, if elected this year, has pledged funds for about 20,000 "flexible support packages" to help women pay rent or buy furniture.  




Based on a Victorian model, the packages are expected to cost $60 million in total.

Partners who exercise financial control in a relationship is an indicator of abuse, domestic violence organisation White Ribbon says.

The packages are designed to help women leave relationships and set up stable, permanent homes for them and their children.

Linda Burney
Labor frontbencher, Linda Burney, says it's hard to see how the commissioners can stay in their role. Source: AAP


"These packages are about helping people keep their life together in the most difficult of circumstances," the opposition leader said in a statement.

"(They're about) keeping the kids in the school they know, keeping the family doctor, being able to stay in work and study."

The packages won't be restricted to women with children; young people, temporary visa holders and members of the LGBTQI+ community will be able to access the funding as well.

Victoria rolled out flexible support packages in 2016, spending more than $64 million on more than 19,000 packages. 

The federal government has also moved to provide support for women disadvantaged financially by ending an abusive relationship. 

In November, the Minister for Women Kelly O'Dwyer announced a funding boost for family law services and initiatives to improve economic security.  


Share
2 min read

Published

Updated



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world