Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence

S.E. ANDREWS (Gibson) (15:05): My question is to the Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. Can the minister update the house on federal investment for South Australia to support frontline domestic, family and sexual violence services?

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD (Reynell—Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence) (15:06): Thank you very much to the member for her question and for her steadfast passion to help prevent and end domestic, family and sexual violence. This scourge that sees one woman in this country killed every four days, deeply impacts children and negatively impacts women's health and wellbeing across their lifetime is a scourge that touches far too many lives. It is, however, heartening to see leaders working together to say, 'Enough.'

I am really proud of the far-reaching, impactful work the Albanese Labor government has done in this space. In just three years, we have seen more focus and more resources, and from day one this work has been done hand in hand with communities, states and territories, and the people on the ground who show up every day to help women feel and be safe again.

Within just months of Labor forming government in this state, I proudly stood alongside exemplary federal ministers Amanda Rishworth and Katy Gallagher, as well as ministers from every state and territory, to help launch the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032. It is a big and ambitious plan and also a deeply personal one because behind every target and every timeline is someone's colleague, neighbour, sister, mother or friend. Behind every target and timeline is someone: a woman who was precious and loved.

This national plan isn't just words, it is backed by over $4 billion in federal funding: record funding that is making and will continue to make a difference. Here in South Australia, we have rolled up our sleeves and worked closely with our federal counterparts to make sure that money goes where it is most needed. That includes $12.167 million to South Australia to recruit 45 new frontline community workers across 35 services.

These workers are now reaching people in both metro and regional areas. These are the people who stand at the crossroads of crisis and hope, offering shelter, counselling, financial support and compassion, and empowering women to walk new pathways. They are also there for those who can, sadly, too often be overlooked: First Nations women, CALD communities, the LGBTIQA+ community and women with disabilities.

A renewed five-year National Partnership Agreement will deliver another $26 million from the commonwealth starting 1 July 2025, and we are matching that here in South Australia. That's another over $52 million of critical services to change and sometimes even save lives. This partnership speaks volumes. It shows what happens when two Labor governments, federal and state, work together with shared purpose, with steadfast resolve. On top of this unprecedented investment into prevention, intervention, response, recovery and healing, the federal government is directly supporting South Australians through national programs like the now permanent leaving violence payment.

Just last week, we saw a $90 million proposal from the federal opposition announced far too late and, frankly, falling utterly short. When you put that next to Labor's $4 billion commitment, the difference in priorities is crystal clear. We know the stakes, we know the stories and we know the strength that it takes to walk away, to speak up and start again. The Albanese government sees this, our government sees this, which is why together we are not just listening, we are acting and we are investing.