Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Hansard source

Evidence tells us that the wheels of the Albanese government are not turning fast enough or in the right direction to help women and children experiencing violence. This motion demands a dollar figure in increased funding, but the deployment of funding already promised by the Albanese government will have the greatest immediate effect on addressing this scourge. Estimates uncovered that the Attorney-General's Department is still working through the funding agreements in response to the so-called Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches, recommendations finalised some two months ago. The majority of funding will not be available until 1 July next year, of course—after the next federal election—effectively kicking the much needed response down the road. Nothing is rapid about that response by anyone's measure.

Three thousand consultations informed the National Plan to End Violence against Women and their Children. The rapid review triggered yet more consultation. Yet the sector is almost always in unison. Today I heard directly from the Salvation Army and Homelessness Australia that, over a two week statistical snapshot just recently, 40 per cent of services closed their doors to new requests, 83 per cent of providers were unable to answer crisis calls to their service and new homelessness clients are women, children and unaccompanied young people with the primary reason for seeking help being to get help. They are unsafe in their homes because of violence.

Today the Northern Territory coroner, who was looking into the deaths of four women confirmed not enough is being done, especially for children who encounter violence as either victims-survivors or witnesses and, as a consequence, may also now be perpetrators. The coalition endorses the intent of Senator McKim's urgency motion as a call for greater and urgent action and is in agreement that funding is important, but effective deployment of funding must be the priority for this government, which has a track record of failing to deliver as intended. Announcements are not action. We are hearing loud and clear that prevention and early intervention is key to stop the demand for response, recovery and healing.

The Albanese government has found itself in this terrible situation of having to respond to crisis, some of it of its own making. This government stood by for six months while the Northern Territory alcohol restrictions were lifted before reinstatement, and locals and taxpayers are paying for it now—none more so than those vulnerable people directly impacted. Levels of crime and assault are now increasing in the Northern Territory, even with $300 million spent in Central Australia. In January 2024 there was another announcement of $3.5 million in funding to Aboriginal Hostels Ltd for the construction of up to 20 short-term beds for crisis accommodation—yet, right now, not a single bed is available. In fact, construction hasn't even started.

Remember, it was the Albanese government and the Australian Greens who ended the cashless debit card. On page 36 of the University of Adelaide's final report—and I quote directly, with not a single change to the words: 'CDC program cessation had negative impacts. Alcohol consumption, public intoxication and alcohol related violence rose considerably in Ceduna, East Kimberley and the Goldfields. There are declining levels of child wellbeing and welfare. Some children are not being fed or clothed properly, not attending school and being out on the streets unsupervised at night.' That is their own report. The report said increased gambling was the outcome of your handiwork in Ceduna and the East Kimberley, yet the Australian Greens have the cheek to talk about the impact of gambling in this chamber today.

Just like the wrong decision on the cashless debit card and the lifting of alcohol restrictions, the Australian Greens proposing an arbitrary figure in this urgency motion is not the right approach either. Family violence costs around two per cent of national GDP. In 2024 terms, that's $34 billion a year lost. The human, social and economic cost of violence requires an urgent response. Every woman killed and every woman faced with a near-death experience daily is one too many. Every child who is a victim-survivor and witness, or who goes on to become a perpetrator, is one child too many.

The Albanese government must follow the findings of its rapid review and act urgently to combat this epidemic that is family and domestic violence in Australia. Remember the 500-worker fiasco, from a promise by this government? Delivering on existing funding commitments is where the Albanese government's focus should be.