More Safe Havens for Tasmanian Women Facing Violence

The Australian and Tasmanian Governments are delivering more emergency accommodation to provide greater support to women and children experiencing family and domestic violence in Hobart.

Assistant Minister for Social Security, Ageing and Women, Kate Thwaites, today visited the newly constructed Safe Places site in Hobart and emphasised the importance of emergency accommodation in tackling family and domestic violence against women and children.

The Salvation Army Tasmania received $1.65 million from the Albanese Government and $900,000 from the Rockliff Government to expand McCombe House, supporting up to 120 women and children experiencing family and domestic violence each year.

This milestone marks the successful completion of all three Safe Places projects in Tasmania under the first round of funding, providing up to 96 safe places for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence.

The Australian Government is investing $172.6 million through the Safe Places program, which includes the Albanese Government's $100 million over five years from 2022-23 through the Safe Places Inclusion Round.

The $100 million investment will increase the number of new and appropriate emergency accommodation places for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence across Australia, with a focus on improving access for First Nations women and children, women and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and women and children with disability.

Tasmania will continue to benefit from further investment. Under the recent Safe Places Inclusion Round, Women's Shelter Inc will receive more than $3 million to construct 15 new self-contained apartments for women and children escaping family and domestic violence in the Hobart region, assisting up to a further 260 women and children each year.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said "Family and domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness and housing uncertainty for women and children across Australia, and we know there is an increased demand for emergency accommodation".

"The opening of these Safe Places homes in Hobart will mean a new beginning for many women and children experiencing family and domestic violence, allowing them to build a future free from violence."

Assistant Minister for Women and Assistant Minister for Social Security Kate Thwaites said "It is vitally important that women and children experiencing family and domestic violence know there are both people and places they can turn to for support in times of crisis."

"The successful expansion of McCombe House alongside the Government's investments across Tasmania are providing places for around 780 women and children experiencing family and domestic violence every year. This is ensuring access to necessary expert support, whilst also offering much needed comfort and refuge from unsafe situations."

Tasmanian Minister for Housing, Planning, and Consumer Affairs, Felix Ellis, said the harm caused by family violence is particularly devastating.

"We are committed to a Tasmania without family and domestic violence, and providing more support for women and children put in these unimaginable situations is an absolute priority for the Tasmanian Government," Minister Ellis said.

Tasmanian Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence, Jo Palmer, said everyone has a fundamental right to not only feel safe, but be safe.

"These Safe Places will mean a warm bed, a hot meal and above all, personal safety for many women and children experiencing family and domestic violence," Minister Palmer said.

The Salvation Army Tasmania Divisional Commander (State Leader), Major Tracy Briggs, said the new accommodation will significantly increase the support The Salvation Army can provide to women and children escaping violence in Tasmania.

"For 35 years, The Salvation Army has provided support to victim-survivors of family violence in Tasmania, and these units will play a crucial role in allowing us to continue this important work.

"They have been thoughtfully designed to provide a safe, suitable and supportive environment, where victim-survivors are able to begin rebuilding their lives."

More than 4,900 women and children across Australia are currently supported each year by the work of Safe Places, with temporary housing, as well as case management and additional supports available while accessing the services.