Domestic and Family Violence

S.E. ANDREWS (Gibson) (14:52): My question is to the Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. How is the government working collaboratively to assist women financially impacted by family and domestic violence?

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD (Reynell—Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:52): Thank you so much to the member for this question. I have been a friend and worked alongside the member for Gibson for a very long time, and I am absolutely clear about how steadfast her commitment is to the prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence and how committed she is to supporting those who experience it.

Amongst a comprehensive array of actions that our government is taking to support and empower those experiencing violence is our commitment to work collaboratively with the community sector and with the finance and real estate sectors to explore ways to drive initiatives that support survivors as they recover and heal. We know that a combination of factors affect a woman's economic security over her lifetime and that survivors of violence are likely to experience economic insecurity as a result of the violence and will need greater support as they work to rebuild their life following the experience of violence.

As part of our commitment, as previously shared with this house, our government hosted round tables focused on easing the financial burden that sadly often arises as a consequence of domestic, family and sexual violence perpetrated against women in South Australia. More than 70 participants from the financial services, real estate and domestic violence sectors attended the round tables to explore options to help ensure women impacted by violence don't bear the brunt of unpaid mortgages, loans and rent.

Innovative solutions to better support women experiencing violence were discussed by leaders during the two financial burden round tables hosted by our government. I am really pleased to inform the house that these important discussions have led to increased action from the financial services and real estate sectors to help address this critical issue. This includes the introduction of specialised training for staff to work with customers experiencing abuse and making it simpler for survivors to open new and private bank accounts.

Other important examples of work now progressing include the Australian Banking Association and its member banks now implementing preventative measures that block abusive transactions in their banking applications and internet banking. ABA member banks are also now taking action against perpetrators of this abuse, including sending warning letters, limiting their access to internet banking and closing their accounts if required. The association has also worked with the government and regulators to minimise harm to survivors in financial difficulty by suppressing certain credit reporting information to reduce the risk of retaliation.

NAB has updated its frontline staff training on assisting customers experiencing violence and uses technology to detect text-based abuse sent via NAB's mobile app or internet banking, with blocked transactions reviewed for further action. Credit Union SA has partnered with the Zahra Foundation to explore the creation of financial products specifically for women impacted by violence, and Rise High Financial Solutions has partnered with Mimi Moon Meno to empower women to greater financial independence during menopause and beyond.

I am delighted to share with the house these examples of excellent progress that has already been made and that the round tables have further helped to establish a collective understanding of the issues faced by those experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence.