Investigate options for increasing investment in responding to and preventing family violence

The 2019/20 State Budget includes $185.5 million in initiatives to continue landmark reforms to the family violence system, prevention, and gender equality initiatives.

In May 2017, the Victorian Government announced a $1.9 billion package to address the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence. This is the largest single investment by any state, territory or federal government to address and prevent family violence. It marked a significant step in a long-term process to overhaul the system, improve the lives of victim survivors and change attitudes towards women.

This funding package extends across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities and provides more crisis housing, support services and specialist services for children and Aboriginal Victorians. It also supports programs to promote respect, equality and safety in the community and schools.

This funding package is in addition to the initial $572 million announced in April 2016 to start delivering on the most urgent recommendations of the Royal Commission.

Victoria continues to explore options for new revenue sources, including ongoing engagement with the Commonwealth on funding areas of overlapping responsibility.

In December 2018, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) reaffirmed its strong commitment to working collaboratively to address domestic, family and sexual violence.

In March 2019, the Commonwealth Government released Our Investment in Women’s Safety, which commits $328 million to the fourth and final Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022.

Victoria is continuing to explore longer term options for optimising cross-jurisdictional funding arrangements for family violence and related services.

Implemented.