One step forward in journey to end domestic and family violence

A dedicated role will be brought in to help local councils work together to make headway in the campaign to end domestic violence.

A new role will be introduced to help support local councils in work advocating for domestic violence projects.

LOCAL councils across Queensland will have an easier avenue of communication with the State Government on issues surrounding domestic and family violence, with the appointment of a new support role.

Mayor Williams said she had advocated for the role to the State Government for the past year.

The new role would sit within the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and provide councils with a consolidated way to approach the Queensland Government about domestic violence issues.

“I wrote to Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Di Farmer in October last year after seeing the benefits of a similar role operation in Victoria’s Municipal Association of Victoria,” Cr Williams said.

“I then met with Minister Farmer along with LGAQ CEO Greg Hallam to explain the benefits of this role for Queensland councils who are all advocating to the State Government separately.

SCHOOL CONVERTS SHIPPING CONTAINER INTO HOUSE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS

“With 77 councils across Queensland, some of which are remote, indigenous or isolated; having a single point of contact to help co-ordinate resources and advocate to the State Government makes a great deal of sense.”

“It will reduce the need for individual councils to lobby the State Government and ensure the necessary resources and information gets out to the Council areas where they are needed most.”

Cr Williams said the new role, which would be temporary at first, was yet another example of Redland City advocating for increased domestic and family violence support across Queensland.

“Our community is really punching above its weight when it comes to domestic and family violence advocacy, which shows the passion we have locally,” she said.

“In addition to this new role, Redland City has also raised more than $330,000 to help encourage the State Government to commit to providing more domestic and family violence housing in the Redlands.

“Add to that the fact that we launched the first ever red bench (to raise awareness of work to end domestic violence) in association with the Red Rose Foundation, an initiative that has now rolled out nationally and it is obvious our community is passionate about helping those impacted by domestic and family violence.”

News of the new role comes as work on the Redlands’ Maybanke shelter for families fleeing domestic violence is completed.

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