Anthony Albanese's minister reveals shameful truth about domestic violence ... trends now
The government is remaining tight lipped on what else it might do in this month's federal budget to address domestic violence, as it comes under increasing pressure to deliver on existing promises.
National cabinet this week agreed to extend the $5,000 grant to help people leave domestic violence, but advocates are disappointed governments have not done more to address critical front line shortages.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, who is also the Women's Minister, conceded on Sunday that she believed only 30 of the 500 frontline domestic violence workers promised by Labor have so far been recruited.
She said the onus was on states to get that number up, and was hopeful that figure would significantly climb in the coming months.
The Federal Finance Minister Katy Gallagher (pictured), said the government is falling short of a promise they made, to recruit 500 frontline domestic violence workers
'They've signed on to agreement to have the vast majority of them employed in the first half of this year, but they are saying that staff and recruiting staff is an issue,' she told ABC's Insiders.
In 2022, the government pledged $169m over four years to fund 500 new frontline workers who assist people experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, to be recruited by the states.
During the week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese struggled to put a figure on how many of the workers were currently on the ground.
On the back of Senator Gallagher's revelation, Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said it was 'just not good enough' that Labor couldn't deliver on the promises it had made.
'This is not good enough. When were these numbers last interrogated by the Minister for Women and why isn't she asking for updates every single day?' she said in a statement with Kerrynne Liddle, the Coalition spokesperson for prevention of family violence.
'It is the PM himself who made the promise and therefore it is his government's responsibility to deliver on it - not blame the states and territories.
'Labor must address the family violence crisis by delivering what was promised and with more measures in the upcoming Budget that change this terrible trajectory.'
The current agreement is set to expire in June.
