The Victorian Greens have condemned the Labor Government for failing to fund the operation of 28 high-security crisis units for women and children fleeing family violence - leaving them empty during a worsening housing and domestic violence crisis.
Despite $7.8 million in federal funding for construction, the State Labor Government refused to provide the $3.9 million needed to run the units in 2025-26. The Sanctuary model, run by Safe Steps, has a 98% success rate and saves the state money compared to using motels.
As stated by the Victorian Greens spokesperson for Family and Domestic Violence, Anasina Gray-Barberio:
"It's unconscionable that in the middle of a family violence crisis, Labor refuses to fund crisis units that could save lives.
They can find nearly a billion dollars for prison beds, but not a fraction of that to protect women and children fleeing violence. What kind of cruel priorities are these?
Every night these units sit empty is a night someone sleeps in fear. That should haunt every person in Labor who was responsible for this decision. They should be ashamed."
