THE Federal Government will provide $67.2 million over four years to continue Queensland’s 500 Workers Initiative, aimed at strengthening frontline support for people experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence.
The funding, secured through to 2030, will support specialist workers across Queensland, including South East Queensland, Far North communities, Gulf Country and outback regions.
Assistant Minister for Social Services Ged Kearney announced the funding alongside Federal Member for Bonner Kara Cook at the Red Rose Foundation, a local organisation focused on preventing family violence deaths through advocacy, education, research and specialist support.
Ms Cook, a former domestic and family violence lawyer, said the funding would help ensure victim-survivors could reach skilled support when they needed it most.
“As a former domestic and family violence lawyer, I’ve sat across the table from women at some of the most frightening and difficult moments of their lives,” she said.
“I know how critical it is that when someone reaches out for help, there is a skilled frontline worker there to support them.”
Ms Cook said the Red Rose Foundation had received more than 2000 requests for support in three months.
“Behind every one of those requests is someone who needs help,” she said.
“Half of the client-facing workers here at Red Rose are funded through Labor’s 500 Workers Initiative.”
She said additional frontline staff increased an organisation’s capacity to respond and could be lifesaving, particularly in cases involving strangulation.
“This $67.2 million investment is about making sure that when a woman finds the courage to reach out for help, there is someone there to answer,” Ms Cook said.
“Because when a woman’s safety or life is at risk, having the right support at the right time matters.”
Ms Kearney said the workforce was central to the national effort to end gender-based violence.
“Our frontline workers are the backbone of our efforts to end family, domestic and sexual violence,” she said.
“This funding is about ensuring that no matter where you are in Queensland – here in Brisbane, up in the Far North, or out in regional, rural or remote areas – care is available.”
