Wednesday, 4 October 2023

Ministers statements: family violence

Vicki WARD (Eltham – Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Employment) (14:26): I rise to update the house on the work the Allan Labor government is doing to build more housing for those fleeing family violence. The Allan government continues to lead this nation on family violence reform and investment and on continuing to shine the spotlight on this critical issue. I will take a moment to recognise the hardworking ministers who have come before me: I acknowledge their incredible work setting up the nation’s first and only Royal Commission into Family Violence, implementing all 227 recommendations and investing over $3.8 billion to support victim-survivors of family abuse.

We know it is hard to escape a violent household. Fear of retribution, financial instability and housing availability, including in regional Victoria, are key barriers. Victoria’s landmark housing statement will address one of the most critical barriers: we want to make sure victim-survivors have a safe home to go to – a safe home for themselves, their children, their pets. On this side of the chamber we are proud that the Allan Labor government’s housing statement is committed to building 1000 new homes specifically for those experiencing family violence across our state. That includes making sure we put housing in the places it is needed across regional Victoria. We are building on what the Big Housing Build has already begun to deliver, with one in eight new social housing dwellings reserved for family violence victim-survivors. We know that there is more to do and that rates of family violence are far too high. I can assure this place I am getting on with it and I am delivering these important reforms that will keep more Victorians, particularly women and children, safe.