In light of the Commonwealth Government’s announcement of its $100 million Women’s Safety package to respond to family and domestic violence, there has been a lot of discussion happening on this issue right across my electorate.
On the one hand, I am very disappointed that many parts of my electorate have been identified as hot spots for domestic violence. On the other hand, I am very pleased that the Government’s announcement has started a conversation about this issue throughout our communities.
The issue of domestic violence is a multifaceted one. I am confident that the Government’s package will go some way to providing front line services to tackle this issue across parts of my electorate.
However it is important that, as a community, we take a stand against domestic violence.
Any form of abuse against another person, whether physical or emotional, is simply unacceptable.
If you or someone you know is suffering any form or domestic violence, please reach out for support either from your friends and family or through 1800 RESPECT support service. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Families across my electorate have until 30 October 2015 to apply for the Australian Government’s new Nanny Pilot Programme.
This programme will provide subsidised care for about 10,000 children around Australia over the next two years.
I encourage any parents struggling to match their work hours with conventional childcare options to consider applying to participate in the Nanny Pilot Programme that begins on 1 January 2016.
Families are eligible for the Nanny Pilot Programme if both parents (or in the case of a sole parent family, the sole parent) work, train or study at least eight hours a fortnight, and at least one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Families can apply for the Nanny Pilot Programme at www.dss.gov.au/nannypilot.
Applications for service providers to deliver the Nanny Pilot Programme on behalf of the Australian Government opened on 10 September and close on 22 October 2015.
Service providers will need to demonstrate their capacity to successfully deliver the pilot programme across a large region or a whole state or territory, and have at least two years’ experience in child care or community service delivery.
The $246 million Nanny Pilot Programme is the first part of the Government’s Jobs for Families package. The results will help the Government develop future policy for child care provided in the family home.
