Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Hughes for her question on this really important subject. 1800RESPECT is the national gateway for all Australians who are affected by family, domestic and sexual violence and are seeking help or assistance. It is an absolute priority of this government to ensure that this national telephone and online counselling service is of the absolute highest quality so that people who rely on it can rely on it.

That's why we conducted an open and competitive procurement process to secure the next provider to deliver 1800RESPECT into the future. On 24 January this year I was pleased to announce that Telstra Health had been the successful provider. That followed a very extensive process that enabled us to come up with the strongest service solution with the capability to provide a really high quality response that was trauma informed and fit for purpose. So Telstra Health will deliver 1800RESPECT for the next five years, with the possibility of an extension. This is the first time we've put in place a five-year contract for the service so that we can make sure we have continuity and stability in the service we provide, because we know it is so important to so many Australians. Through this process, we've overhauled the funding model. It is no longer a cost-per-contact model; it's one based on the time that's needed to help the person, to make sure that 1800RESPECT is funded on the basis of user need.

As our understanding of trauma and the pervasive nature of gender based violence continues to evolve, we are also ensuring that this service evolves to meet the diverse and complex needs of the people that rely on it. A staged transition will occur to make sure there is no impact on the delivery when Telstra Health take up the service provision in July. Can I take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of Medibank Health Solutions and their subcontractors, who have been delivering this important commitment since 2010.