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GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS WOMEN

September 6, 2011

The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is focused on developing innovative approaches to tackling gender inequity and reducing domestic violence through a number of new initiatives.
Minister for Women Pru Goward said key election commitments met in the 2011-12 Budget include:

  • Investing a further $2.5 million to expand the Staying Home Leaving Violence program to an additional five sites.
  • Establishing a Bureau of Women’s Statistics that will collect and publish a broad range of issues including employment, health, education and domestic violence.
  • Producing the first ever annual report on the Status of Women in NSW.

“We are working to develop additional ways of supporting women to escape domestic violence and remain safely at home,” Ms Goward said.
The 2011-12 Budget also includes:

  • $5.5 million for Start Safely, will help victims of domestic and family violence to secure and sustain a safe home in the private rental market and provides assistance to 567 households fleeing domestic violence in 2011-12.
  • $2.2 million for the Domestic Violence Line, an increase of $300,000, to provide women and children with advice and support about domestic violence.
  • $850,000 for the continuation of the Domestic Violence Proactive Support Service (DVPASS) program, an increase of $100,000 over last year’s funding, to help victims of domestic violence with housing, criminal justice, child care, health and financial issues.

“This funding meets the election commitments made by this Government and demonstrates our strong support for initiatives that tackle gender inequity and help reduce domestic and family violence.

“Over the next 12 months we will also be working with TAFE and industry to reduce barriers and increase the number of women working in trades,” Ms Goward said.

In total, the Family and Community Services cluster will receive over $5.5 billion in the 2011-12 Budget for services and over $250 million for capital infrastructure. This includes funding for the Aboriginal Housing Office; Ageing, Disability and Home Care; Businesslink; Community Services, Housing NSW and the Office for Women’s Policy.