James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The government supports 1800RESPECT and is providing an extra $5 million per year to the service to ensure it continues to provide world-class support to victims of sexual assault and family and domestic violence. The government is pleased that three highly experienced not-for-profit domestic violence organisations, DV Connect in Queensland, Safe Steps in Victoria and Women's Safety Services in South Australia, have agreed to the contract arrangements and will now provide the specialist trauma counselling component of the 1800RESPECT service as part of a new panel model. Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia were invited to be part of the model but declined the offer to participate.

The government also notes the ongoing workloads of committees and committee secretariats and expresses its concern at additional references.

Question agreed to.