Will
Hodgman has today ignored pleas for more funding for a vital service to support
victims of family violence.
Staff
from the Family Violence Counselling Support Service visited Parliament today
to hear firsthand Will Hodgman’s response to their serious concerns about
underfunding of this service.
Shadow
Minister for Women, Equality and Prevention of Family Violence, Michelle
O’Byrne, said Will Hodgman needed to urgently meet with staff.
“Will
Hodgman today showed complete disregard for those workers who are under extreme
pressure from staffing cuts at a time when demand is rapidly increasing,” Ms
O’Byrne said.
“Demand
for this service has grown 200 per cent and the average caseload for a full
time worker is 651 which is just totally unmanageable.
“These frontline workers are seeking a commitment from Will Hodgman that he will urgently increase funding to meet demand and guarantee the service will be quarantined from its $450 million budget cuts and outsourcing.”
Michelle O’Byrne MP
Shadow Minister for Women, Equality and Prevention of Family Violence
