New $60m crisis accommodation for Australians escaping domestic violence

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a shocking rise in this crime, and the government has resolved to boost funding to address it.

As the number of reported domestic violence incidents spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has announced a $60 million initiative to help accommodate about 6000 women and children each year. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

About 6000 Australian women and children needing to escape domestic violence each year will have access to about 700 new safe places across the country under a $60 million initiative.

The federal government investment will fund about 40 projects, which include building new two- and three-bedroom homes, transforming office buildings into self-contained apartments and establishing small group homes.

Of those, two will each be located in the ACT, WA and SA; there will be one in NT; NSW will have 16; Queensland will have seven; Tasmania will be home to three; and Victoria will have seven projects.

There will be an even split of accommodation across regional areas and capital cities.

Federal Families and Social Services Minister Anne Ruston, who announced the initiative on Monday, said the investment would improve access to suitable emergency accommodation for those in need as they rebuilt their lives free from violence.

The initiative will provide new safe places for women and children escaping violence.

She said the federal government was hopeful the majority of work would be complete by 2022, although there were some projects that could be fast tracked.

“Sadly, we have seen a significant increase in the number of people reporting or seeking advice on domestic violence (during the COVID-19 pandemic) and it’s been about a 50 per cent month on month increase from the same time last year,” Ms Ruston said.

“That’s was why we immediately moved to put $150 million to top up our domestic violence programs through the amount of money we’ve paid to the state and territories over the past few months.

“We know there is a big demand for women and children to find a safe place when they make that brave decision to escape domestic violence and it’s through organisations like Anglicare and Nunga Mi:Minar that we are able to provide those.

“We’re hoping we’ve seen the worst of the spike following the COVID pandemic in terms of the increase in domestic violence but we remain totally alert should we see any further spike, particularly as Victoria comes out its lockdowns.”

Federal Families and Social Services Minister Anne Ruston. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

However, the federal opposition said it was “unacceptable” it took a global pandemic and rise in domestic violence reports for the government to deliver the promised funding.

Shadow housing spokesman Jason Clare said it took almost 20 months after the federal government’s initial announcement to release the names of the organisations to receive funding.

“According to the Government’s own guidelines, applicants were expected to see grant activity around July 2020. No announcement was made in July or August,” he said.

“For months, frontline domestic violence services have been crying out for more support.

“The Morrison Government must now ensure this funding is delivered to the organisations as quickly as possible so construction can begin now.”

The $60 million Safe Places Emergency Accommodation program is part of the $78 million funding package, which includes $18 million to continue the Keeping Women Safe in their Homes initiative.

This funding forms part of the $340 million investment in the Fourth Action Plan of theNational Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022, which is provided in addition to the federal government’s $150 million COVID-19 response package.