Labor’s $1.95 million election promise for crisis accommodation in the Northern Rivers

The Labor campaign has promised $1.95 million to tackle crisis accommodation for those fleeing domestic violence. Here are the details.

The Labor campaign has announced their plan to tackle the housing crisis for domestic violence victims in the Northern Rivers.

Shadow Assistant Minister Communities and the Prevention of Family Violence, Senator Jenny McAllister, said Labor will provide $1.95 million for additional crisis accommodation.

“We expect this could help as many as 176 women a year to find refuge,” Ms McAllister said.

“We will also fund 10 workers to help 800 women a year and support them during the hardest time of their lives.”

Shadow Assistant Minister Communities and the Prevention of Family Violence, Hon Jenny McAllister presenting funding for housing and additional services for domestic violence victims in Lismore on Wednesday. Picture Cath Piltz

The funding will come under Labor’s Housing Australia Future Fund, if elected.

Here in the Northern Rivers natural disasters have exacerbated the issues surrounding domestic violence.

“People say ‘Why doesn’t she leave?” Ms McAllister said.

“Well the answer to that is that there just isn’t anywhere to go.

Federal Labor candidate for Page, Patrick Deegan, said the housing crisis has been a major issue in the Page electorate for a long time.

“For years there has not been an increase in funding for these services,” Mr Deegan said.

“There was funding available for domestic violence refuges but Kevin Hogan wasn't able to get funding for the Northern Rivers.”

L-r: Federal candidate for Page Patrick Deegan with Shadow Assistant Minister Communities and the Prevention of Family Violence, Hon Jenny McAllister, presenting funding for housing and additional services for domestic violence victims. Picture Cath Piltz

Mr Deegan said the flood has put more pressure on the services such as Women Up North among many others but Labor’s plan will alleviate the burden on these “essential services”.

Senator Tim Ayers said the housing crisis and the epidemic of family violence are no more acute in the Northern Rivers than in the rest of NSW.

“This region deserves real solutions and a real commitment from the government.”

The “extra pairs of hands” along with the extra houses would be rolled out over a number of years.

The Housing Australia Future Fund will be to build 30,000 social and affordable homes across the country.

It will include 4,000 homes for women and children fleeing violence and older women on low incomes who are at risk of homelessness, plus an additional $100 million for crisis accommodation.