The Albanese Labor Government will provide more than $1 million in additional funding to the StandbyU Foundation to provide critical support to Gold Coast families affected by violence.
Over the next four years, StandbyU will be supported to deliver its Connected Communities: Magnolia Place initiative, a safe place in Westfield Helensvale on the Gold Coast that supports individuals, couples, and families affected by family and domestic violence.
Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Justine Elliot emphasised the importance of frontline, local services such as Magnolia Place that offer support to the most vulnerable families in the community.
"The level of family violence that exists across Australia is rife, and for some, inescapable. This is unacceptable," Assistant Minister Elliot said.
"We understand the importance of place-based, community-led services for Australian families, and remain committed to providing on the ground support to those who need it most."
Magnolia Place is part of the Specialised Family Violence Services program that supports individuals, couples, and families affected by family and domestic violence.
This additional funding for StandbyU forms part of the $50.3 million in funding allocated to the Specialised Family Violence Services program over five years, from 2022-23 to 2026-27, with over $13 million committed in 2022-23.
"The demand for a service like this is undeniable. Between March 2022 and December 2022 alone, StandbyU helped over 300 individual clients," Assistant Minister Elliot said.
Chris Boyle from StandbyU Foundation said the additional funding will allow StandbyU to continue to provide support to vulnerable community members on the Gold Coast.
"We are so grateful to have this funding, as it will allow us to continue to bring critical, inclusive services to the community in a place they can easily access," Chris Boyle said.
