Minister Robyn Cahill axes Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Advisory Forum amid ‘epidemic’ of abuse

Frontline workers in the domestic violence sector have voiced their anger and disappointment after the Territory government axed a key advisory group.

Domestic Violence Minister Robyn Cahill confirmed she had dismantling the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Advisory Forum, a key consultation body established under the 10-year strategy to reduce abuse in the NT. Picture: Zizi Averill

The government has axed a critical domestic violence advisory body, despite warnings a lack of co-ordination would only worsen the ‘epidemic’ of abuse in the Territory.

On Thursday, Domestic Violence Minister Robyn Cahill confirmed she had dismantled the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Advisory Forum, a consultation body established under the NT’s 10-year DFSV reduction strategy.

For the past six years the Forum has allowed frontline sector workers, peak bodies, and legal, medical and social services experts to work directly with government departments, including Territory Families, the Attorney-General, Corrections, Chief Minister, Health, Education, and the Aboriginal Justice Unit.

Since 2019 the expert group has produced 22 communiques over six years, and was pivotal in the development of the expert report revealing the $180m five-year shortfall in domestic violence funding.

However, moments before Ms Cahill addressed the media for an unrelated press conference, dozens of non-government organisations were told that the specialist group would be axed “effective immediately” as part of a restructure.

The letter said instead the government would ‘strengthen’ the Aboriginal Advisory Board — a nine person panel which has only produced three press releases since May 2023 — and the cabinet’s Justice Committee would create a subcommittee from “relevant NT Government agencies”.

Ms Cahill claimed the governance shake-up was part of a strategic plan for the sector over the next 12 months.

She said by developing domestic violence strategies first within the government departments, and then drawing in front line services, “it means we will be actually able to target the discussion as we need it”.

Ms Cahill denied that the new structure would “silo” the frontline services and departments, or cut experts and the sector from policy development.

“There’s not a single person who works in this sector that I won’t meet with, and talk with, and listen to,” Ms Cahill said.

She said the smaller structure would avoid the “very large, quite unwieldy in certain circumstances” whole-of-government and sector working groups.

Despite dissolving one of the key advisory groups with the frontline services, Ms Cahill said “we’ve really looked to make sure that where we’re getting the advice is from those people on the ground”.

Multiple workers in the sector have shared their anger and frustration to the NT News over the announcement.

Northern Territory Council of Social Service chief executive Sally Sievers said the announcement had created “understandable disappointment” in the sector.

Northern Territory Council of Social Service chief executive Sally Sievers said the announcement had created “understandable disappointment” in the sector, saying the Forum had played a vital role in ensuring frontline voices informed decision-making.

“Collaboration has real power – and real results,” Ms Sievers said.

“Our message is simple: let’s not lose the momentum. Let’s build on what we’ve learned through the Forum and find new ways to keep co-operation and shared responsibility alive.”

Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory chief executive John Paterson. Picture: Supplied/Lisa Hatz Photography.

Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory chief executive John Paterson agreed the Forum’s dissolution was “disappointing”, but welcomed the commitment to strengthen the role and function of the ministerially appointed DFSV Aboriginal Advisory Board.

“The first-of-its-kind initiative provides a critical platform to elevate the voices of those with cultural knowledge and lived experience to guide meaningful reform,” Dr Paterson said.

He said it was hoped that the NT Government would uphold its promise to “identifying new and effective ways to engage with the sector”.

“At a time when the DFSV crisis continues to have a devastating impact on the wellbeing of Territorians — particularly Aboriginal women and families — the loss of a co-ordinated, transparent, and cross-sector response risks taking a step backward.

“It is vital that the community sector continues to have a seat at the table.”

Deputy Opposition Leader Dheran Young said it “defies all common sense” to lock out expert advice from the domestic violence policy process. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Deputy Opposition Leader Dheran Young said it “defies all common sense” to lock out expert advice from the policy process.

“The only way to address this horrendous scourge is by working together – instead this CLP Government keeps cutting frontline services, policy experts and victim-survivors out of the conversation,” Mr Young said.

Opposition spokesman for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Chansey Paech said it was “disappointing and alarming” and

another example of the government being unwilling to hear from dissenting voices.

“The government wants to dismiss those voices that aren’t aligning with theirs,” he said.

Opposition spokesman for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Chansey Paech said it was “disappointing and alarming”. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mr Paech said by dismissing the whole-of-government and sector Forum, but maintaining the Aboriginal Advisory Board, the government was implying that abuse was limited to Indigenous communities.

“This is the government saying ‘this is a black problem’ — rather than a Territory problem,” he said.

“It’s a Territory issue that we all need to work on.”

Ms Cahill refuted the claims this was casting the issue as “just an Indigenous problem”, but immediately added “if the biggest problem is in Indigenous communities — which we know that it is — then we need to be able to work to equip those people with the solutions, and to work with them to get the results that we want”.