The Albanese Labor Government has today announced that $10.7 million in funding to support family, domestic and sexual violence responses in the Northern Territory will be brought forward ahead of the October Federal Budget.
The funding will be provided under the National Partnership on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses 2021-23 following a request from the NT Government.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said this funding will be fast-tracked and made available now to help address a range of issues across the Territory.
It forms part of the Federal Government’s commitment to $1.3 billion in funding to support implementation of the next National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. It will also help to drive outcomes under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Minister Rishworth said the funding would support a broad range of organisations and services across the NT including family, domestic and sexual violence helplines, housing and accommodation services, specialist support services for children and perpetrator interventions and men’s behaviour change programs.
“We recognise there are complexities around delivering support services in remote parts of the Territory, so it’s critical they are receiving the funding they need to keep women and children safe,” Minister Rishworth said.
“One woman dies every ten days in Australia at the hands of her former or current partner and we know Indigenous women and children are at higher risk of experiencing family and domestic violence.
“Importantly this funding will also help First Nations women and children living in rural and remote communities across the Northern Territory,” Minister Rishworth said.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said this funding is the first step for needs based funding in the Territory.
“For over two years the Territory Government has advocated for needs-based domestic violence funding to help tackle domestic, family and sexual violence, and we thank the new Federal Government for bringing this funding forwarded. My Territory colleagues Minister Worden and Minister Moss have advocated long and hard for this funding,” Chief Minister Fyles said.
“The complexities and challenges we have in the Territory are far greater than any other jurisdiction. Since 2016 the Territory Labor Government has invested over $158 million into tackling domestic, family and sexual violence. But we know more needs to be done.”
Northern Territory Government Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Kate Worden said the Northern Territory has the highest prevalence of domestic and family violence in Australia.
“Our domestic homicide rate is six times the national average. Our rate of domestic and family violence related assaults is three times the national average and is three times higher than any other Australian jurisdiction,” Minister Worden said.
“Our funding should not be based on population size, we are grateful we have a federal government who has listened to our concerns. The extra $10.7 million enables a total investment of $54 million this year to address and prevent domestic family and sexual violence here in the Northern Territory.”
The fast-tracking of the $10.7 million will bring the Northern Territory’s total funding under the FDSV National Partnership to nearly $15.5 million over two years, and is in addition to the $260 million that was committed to state and territory governments under the FDSV National Partnership, being delivered in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
The Federal Government is working with the Northern Territory, along with other States and Territories, to release the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032 by October.
All levels of government are working effectively together to make the changes urgently needed to end violence against women and children across Australia.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au