New emergency accommodation will be built in Cairns to support local women and children escaping violence.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the Morrison Government would invest more than $1.8m to help Access Community Housing purchase land and build five three-bedroom units.
“This funding will make a real difference to the safety of women and children in Cairns,” Mr Entsch said.
‘Women often stay with family and friends to escape violent situations; however, we know this is not always an available or viable option.
“This funding will provide vital emergency accommodation for 46 women and children in Cairns each year to escape family and domestic violence.
“These new places will not only give women and children somewhere safe to sleep but will also provide access to specialist family and domestic violence services to help create real and lasting change in their lives.”
Federal Women’s Safety Minister Anne Ruston said the Safe Places program was an important investment to improve access to suitable accommodation for women and their children.
“The first priority of the Morrison Government is to keep Australians safe and secure but, sadly, we know that home is not safe for many women and children,” Ms Ruston said.
The Safe Places program was originally designed to help more than 6,000 Australian women and children each year to escape violence.
This new funding will assist about an additional 450 women and children each year.
It forms part of the Morrison Government’s record $1.1 billion commitment to women’s safety in the 2021-22 Budget.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au.
