Page 1283 - Week 04 - Thursday, 7 April 2016
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MR HINDER: Minister, what role do homelessness services play in the ACT government’s response to people experiencing domestic and family violence?
MS BERRY: Responding to domestic and family violence remains a central priority of the ACT government. As I said at the meeting, the Victorian royal commission has lessons for all jurisdictions. Here in the ACT it will sit alongside other key pieces of work that our government has commissioned.
Specialist homelessness services play a pivotal role in offering safety to women and children experiencing domestic and family violence through the provision of crisis accommodation, support and brokerage. Services include the Domestic Violence Crisis Service, Doris Women’s Refuge, Beryl Women’s Inc, Toora, Northside Community Services, Inanna Inc and Communities@work.
These services are skilled in supporting women through the provision of specialised accommodation, including crisis accommodation and transitional housing and outreach support. This outreach support includes measures to ensure client safety, court advocacy, information, personal support and referral, case management, counselling and financial planning. It also includes the provision of practical and material support such as the use of shower and laundry facilities, internet access and food.
The three homelessness services are specifically funded to deliver early intervention programs to children who have been impacted by domestic and family violence in the home. These programs help to re-establish a sense of self and promote recovery and wellbeing but assist in building ongoing supporting relationships and networks.
First Point, Beryl, Toora, Inanna, St Vincent de Paul, Doris and DVCS also partner to provide the domestic violence Christmas program. This program provides short-term motel accommodation, support and brokerage for women, men and children escaping domestic violence over the Christmas period.
The dedication of these services and programs that I have mentioned goes towards helping to ensure that positive outcomes can be achieved immediately and also in the long term for our most vulnerable community members.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Hinder, the form of the standing orders requires that you should say that you have a supplementary question when you stand. I know that you are new in this place, but I have noticed that you do not say that. Could you say that you have a supplementary question when you stand?
Mr Hinder: I have a supplementary question.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Hinder.
MR HINDER: Minister, what steps have been taken in relation to progressing national action on housing affordability?
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