Wide Bay families suffering from domestic and family violence are being forced into unsustainable crisis motel accommodation, raising serious concerns about the Palaszczuk Labor Government preparedness to handle an influx in domestic violence cases across the State.
In Bundaberg today, Shadow Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Ros Bates said motel accommodation was being used at an alarming rate to make up for a the massive shortfall in crisis accommodation in 2015/16.
“Last financial year, around 9000 nights of motel accommodation were provided to 9000 women and over 13,000 children fleeing domestic and family violence across the state,” Ms Bates said.
“That’s a massive 240 per cent increase in just twelve months and cost the State over $1 million – money which could have been spent on more sustainable, long term support services.
“When we consider that there were more than 2000 domestic violence applications made in the Wide Bay/Burnett area in that same period, we know local families are being impacted by this accommodation shortfall.
“Vulnerable families shouldn’t be left to languish in motels if the proper support services aren’t in place to ensure victims aren’t forced back into violent homes.”
Burnett MP Stephen Bennett said women made up more than three quarters of all victims of domestic violence in the Wide Bay/Burnett region.
“Almost one in seven breaches in the region are committed by someone who has breached at least five times in the last five years,” Mr Bennett said.
“Local services are telling me they are being swamped by calls for help and a need for beds for families, yet Labor still isn’t doing anything about it.
“Unlike Labor, the LNP is acting to protect domestic violence victims, having introduced strong domestic laws to State Parliament to reverse the onus of proof for bail and introduce GPS tracking as a bail condition.
“Whether it’s in the Wide Bay region or anywhere else in Queensland, every family deserves to feel safe – and if the Palaszczuk Government won’t ensure that happens, the LNP will.”
Monday, March 6, 2017