Commitment to supporting Australian women on International Women’s Day

The Morrison Government is providing a $2.8 million funding extension for Local Support Coordinators to ensure this support service for victims of domestic and family violence continues to be available in every state and territory across Australia.

Coordinators help connect women experiencing domestic and family violence to the support services they need whether it be counselling, crisis accommodation, financial assistance or legal services.

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said we expect the funding extension would provide support for more than 1000 women over the next two years.

“We recognise it can be difficult for those experiencing domestic and family violence to know where to go for help, what support is available and how to access it which is why we began funding the Local Support Coordinator network in 2015,” Minister Ruston said.

“In recognition of the importance of these coordination services this $2.8 million funding extension will help these services continue until at least 2022.”

The funding extension, provided under the Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022, will continue to fund 1-2 coordinator positions in each State or Territory over 2020-21 and 2021-22.

To date the Morrison Government has provided $6.3 million over five years (from 2015-16 to 2019-20) to fund Coordinator positions in each state or territory.