“Funding for the National Plan to Prevent Domestic Violence is being cut by $7.4 million over forward estimates,” Senator Waters said on Wednesday.
“Domestic violence is a national crisis and needs to be dealt with urgently with properly resourced action, not funding cuts.”
Liberal Senator, and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Michaelia Cash, says the Government has not cut funding to the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children.
“The claims are irresponsible and unfounded and I would challenge Senator Waters to produce evidence upon which she is basing her assertions,” Senator Cash said.
“The Government has a zero tolerance approach to violence against women and their children. I confirm that there has been no reduction in the Budget for the funding for the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children. Indeed, over the forward estimates, over $100 million is being provided to keep women safe.”
The 2014-15 Social Services Portfolio Budget Statements show there has been a $2.6 million reduction in funding to National Initiatives since last year. The National Plan to reduce Violence Against Women and their Children comes under the National Initiatives.
The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children and Support for Victims of Trafficking are programs under National Initiatives as well.
While National Initiatives funding is expected to reduced by $7.3 million over the next four years, it is projected to rise to just over $30 million in 2017-18. That is about $1 million less than Labor’s last budget.
One in three women will become a victim of domestic violence in this nation.
It’s a statistic The Weekly highlighted in our March issue, when we joined forces with White Ribbon and actress Rachael Taylor in a female-led campaign against domestic violence.
Taylor, who became a victim herself, wrote of her harrowing experience.
“One woman per week in Australia dies at the hands of her current or former partner,” Rachael wrote in the magazine. “I don’t think any woman thinks they will become an addition to these statistics. I didn’t.”
AFL player and Australian of the year, Adam Goodes told The Weekly in April about an abusive relationship between his stepfather and mother which would keep him awake at night as a boy.
Senator Cash claims the Government will be giving $1 million over the forward estimates to White Ribbon, which they promised in the election.
“The Government is committed to improving the economic outcomes for women and increasing workforce participation rate, particularly through initiatives including our PPL scheme and the child care inquiry,” she said.
The Weekly contacted both the Prime Minister and Treasurer’s offices about program funding cuts under National Initiatives, but there was no response at the time of publication.
Related: Rachael Taylor: I was a victim of domestic violence
Related: Adam Goodes: my domestic violence story
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