Funding for plan to end gender-based violence in one generation

The Albanese government delivers record investment to support the safety of women and children, but does not meet sector demand.

The Albanese government is delivering a record $1.7 billion investment over six years to end violence against women and children.

$1.3 billion has been awarded to implement the long-awaited 10-year National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children, which was introduced by the federal government last week without new funding commitment. The money will also be used for initiatives that support the prevention of violence, early intervention, responses, and recovery and healing.

The national plan proposes an ambitious roadmap to end gender-based violence within one generation, setting out how gender inequality drives violence against women and children, highlighting a need to respond to sexual violence wherever it occurs and recommending priority areas of action.

See more: Government releases plan to end gender-based violence

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the funding package is a “significant improvement for those experiencing violence”.

“One woman dies in Australia every ten days – that is unacceptable. We know for every frontline worker employed, we can assist 80 women in need.

“This will support states and territories to give providers certainty in terms of long-term employment, which is critical for retaining staff and attracting new workers into these demanding service roles.

“The broad range of initiatives shows our commitment to our goal of ending violence against women and children in one generation.” 

The federal budget includes a $169.4 million investment for an additional 500 frontline community workers to increase support for women experiencing violence. 

It will also deliver 4,000 social housing dwellings for women and children fleeing domestic violence and older women on low incomes at risk of homelessness, which will be directed from the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund.

Despite the federal budget’s clear focus on women, executive director of gender equity campaigner Fair Agenda Renee Carr called out the timespan of the funding which creates “major gaps for women’s safety that still need to be addressed”. 

“Women’s safety won’t be the winner of any budget until the government delivers the minimum of $1 billion a year that experts say is needed to start addressing gendered violence. This budget gets us just over halfway to that figure over the coming years.

“This budget still leaves so many women in danger without the service support they need. We need major new investment over the term of the Albanese Government, starting from the next budget in May.”

In the work setting, the government is strengthening laws that prevent sexual harassment, by implementing the Respect@Work Report, which includes a requirement for employers to actively prevent sexual harassment in Australian workplaces. 

It is also providing $32 million to fund Working Women’s Centres, which provide free information and assistance on issues such as discrimination and pay equity, in every state and territory. 

“It’s positive to see funding for respectful relationships; safer workplaces; and the community services so many women rely on for their safety. But after a decade of neglect by previous governments there’s much more investment needed across services,” continued Carr.

“Freedom to return to the workforce, and to make a living whilst balancing caring responsibilities, are all important parts in creating a gender equal future – what this budget misses is the level of investment needed for freedom for women to be free from violence.”

The focus of the Albanese government to address domestic and family violence was initially emphasised in July this year, when it introduced legislation for 10 days of annual leave for those trying to escape domestic violence.

This has been reiterated by the provision of $3.4 million in the budget for the Fair Work Ombudsman to provide support and advice to small businesses on these entitlements. 

The Albanese government is also committing $65 million over four years for consent and respectful relationships education to help stop violence before it starts.