Warwick advocacy group takes fight for women’s rights to Canberra politicians

‘This has nothing to do where you sit politically’: The fierce advocates have called on Member for Maranoa David Littleproud to support their campaign for urgently needed DV services.

Warwick protest organiser Sue Hamlet said she and her fellow activists were calling on "decent people to stand up".

A small but mighty team of Warwick advocates have launched their campaign for better access to domestic violence services and broader women’s rights to the federal level of politics.

Rose City residents Sue Hamlet, Judy Hefferan, and Kathy Payne spearheaded the Southern Downs Women’s Advocacy Group in the wake of the March4Justice movement that swept the nation in March.

The group were an integral part of Warwick’s own protest outside Member for Maranoa David Littleproud’s Palmerin Street office, where dozens of residents called on the representative to speak out on behalf of his electorate.

Ms Hamlet said they had spent the months since their first campaign lobbying for a sit-down with their federal member, but after securing it felt they needed to take the cause to the next level.

“A lot of our passion came from a background working in human services, as you’ve got a fairly high exposure to women who have suffered domestic violence, sexual harassment, or sexual violence,” she said.

“This has nothing to do with where you sit politically. If you can report in Canberra that even your reasonably conservative electorate cares about this stuff, it carries more weight in the party room and in Cabinet as well.

“At the meeting, we felt that (Mr Littleproud) considered these issues important, but he wasn’t sure they were as important to locals as other issues he often talks about.

Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has claimed he will support the Women’s Advocacy Group in their campaign for more domestic violence services in Warwick. Picture: Warwick Daily News

“So we told him it was an issue that was very important to our electorate … we’re all about harnessing where people have the influence, information, and power and using it to improve these services.”

Determined to keep their campaign for women’s justice at the forefront of the community’s mind, Ms Hamlet said she and her team sent a formal request for support on a number of initiatives to Mr Littleproud.

These included timely access to a domestic and family violence counsellor, sexual assault and social work service, and accommodation and crisis support for victims of abuse in Warwick and the Southern Downs.

Mrs Hamlet said their letter had since been passed on to Minister for Women Marise Payne and Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston in Canberra, but they were yet to hear a further response.

“There are some good things happening at places such as the Warwick Lighthouse, DVAC, but the women of this region deserve more,” she said.

“We’re still hearing reports of women not being believed, and so many of these services are so underfunded and overworked you find support workers don’t refer to them because people need more immediate help.

“The bottom line is we don’t have the services we need, and this could be a real legacy for (Mr Littleproud) to make sure this stuff happens.”

Mr Littleproud declined an interview when contacted by the Daily News for comment, but said he “supported (the group’s) efforts” in a brief statement.

This year’s federal budget included a $1.1 billion investment in women’s safety initiatives such as legal assistance, counselling, and financial support for those escaping abusive relationships.

Mr Littleproud said he was “awaiting a response” on how the funding would impact the Southern Downs.