Tuesday, 13 August 2024

 Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Jobs and Industry, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Minister for Women) (14:38): I rise to talk about the number one community safety issue in this state: violence perpetrated against women and children by men that they know. Aboriginal-led family violence programs are leading the way to change this. Unfortunately Aboriginal women are 33 ‍times more likely to be hospitalised from the impacts of family violence than their counterparts. It is absolutely critical that we act to improve access to culturally safe and self-determined services, and that is what Dhelk Dja does – that is, Safe Our Way – a program that is leading this work in the Aboriginal community. It outlines how government and Aboriginal communities partner to deliver a future free from violence.

Aboriginal access points put our commitment to enabling self-determination into action. Delivered by Aboriginal organisations alongside the Orange Door, they provide culturally safe referrals to services that Aboriginal women and children need. Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative has been announced as the new Aboriginal access point for the Geelong, Bellarine and Colac regions, providing community safety for so many members in that area. And Djirra is at the forefront of family violence prevention and response, holistically in culturally safe ways. Last week I announced Djirra will receive a new grant under the Aboriginal community infrastructure program to improve confidentiality and safety for their clients.

In Victoria we are on the cusp of treaty, and we know that the continued path of self-determination will deliver an increase in investment in services and infrastructure that enable this protection of women and children in the Aboriginal community.