Are the New Workers Really New? 

Family and domestic violence victim-survivors in regional and remote areas should have been prioritised by the Albanese Government when it realised it was failing on its delivery of 500 new frontline workers as promised in its 2022 election commitment.

The Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence, Senator Kerrynne Liddle, said this week Australians should be rightly disappointed with the lack of urgency with which the Albanese Government has responded to a family violence pandemic.

“In South Australia, 25 new workers were promised in 2022 yet in almost two years only two of the 500 workers promised nationally had been hired – one in the Northern Territory and one in South Australia,” the Senator for South Australia said.

“In Murray Bridge, that funding commitment has only very recently increased an existing part-time position to full-time – not good enough when the Labor commitment was for ‘new full-time workers’ on the frontline.

“I now understand why the relevant minister has been quoted as saying the full-time equivalent of 17 workers out of 500 had now been released.

“The over-promising and under-delivering Albanese Government again is not being transparent and the slow rollout means vulnerable people are not getting the help they need.

“Australia is experiencing a family violence epidemic with around 18 women killed already this year.

“There is never an excuse for violence. So many more are being impacted by violence with the high cost of living and substance misuse seen as significant drivers,” she said.

Rolling year statistics show the domestic violence-related crime rate in South Australia has risen 12 percent.

In a meeting in Murray Bridge on Monday, Senator Liddle heard that people are moving to crisis more quickly than previously; the availability of housing stock is leaving victim survivors with nowhere to flee to; and there is a greater number of parents and children with mental health issues.

“The lack of a female rehabilitation centre outside of hospital services was raised as a central issue in making a difference to the level of children coming into contact with child protection and family and domestic violence,” Senator Liddle said.

“Service delivery in an area of increasing population must be a consideration in any state and federal planning. Where is it?

“Let’s not forget thousands of women, children and vulnerable people are being impacted every day that the Albanese Government promises are not delivered,” Senator Liddle said.