Tuesday, 15 October 2024

Family violence

John MULLAHY (Glen Waverley) (19:14): (858) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, and the action I seek is for the minister to discuss our government’s prevention strategy with key community groups in the Glen Waverley district. Helping someone you know at risk of family violence is so daunting because it requires a different solution in almost every situation and services can be difficult to access. That is why under this government a royal commission brought this issue to the front of people’s minds and all 227 recommendations have been fully implemented. It concluded that too many victims of family violence suffer alone. The royal commission edified that we must save crucial time by simplifying the ways people can find help. In response the Allan Labor government created a new government service called the Orange Door. This service fits all family violence supports in one place, and I wish to advise community groups in my electorate on how they can refer this service to people who otherwise slip through the cracks.

Groups like the Bengali Association of Victoria and the Victoria Tamil Senior Citizens Benevolent Society have done incredible work and are the social fabric that many people rely on. I would also like to thank support groups such as IndianCare, who have also had an invaluable personal touch for those in need. A big thanks is also needed for Veera Brave Girl for their organisation’s educational, financial and legal advice that saves lives.

In Parliament this week we have the community legal centre exhibition, which is showcasing our wonderful community legal centres that provide so much support to our community in this space. I would also like to give a special acknowledgement to the Eastern Community Legal Centre and thank Michael Smith and his team for the backup and support they give to the people in our community. Preventing family violence requires others to step in, and my community is ready to embrace those that need and deserve help through the Orange Door. I look forward to hosting the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence and discussing how my team and our community groups can stand up against this scourge.