The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
Minister for Social Services
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Member for Kingston
Senator the Hon Sue Lines
President of the Senate
Senator for Western Australia
The Albanese Labor Government is working in partnership with First Nations communities across Western Australia to address domestic and family violence, investing up to $9.4 million to set up three new Men's Wellness Centres.
The new centres will help First Nations men and boys with complex needs to recognise signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships, helping to prevent family violence from happening or escalating.
Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation will receive $2.23 million to deliver culturally safe, community-led education programs that reduce harmful behaviours and promote healthy relationships for male perpetrators of violence in Derby in the West Kimberley.
Warman Art Aboriginal Corporation will receive $2.37 million to provide culturally safe spaces where men can access mental health, physical health, legal support and other skill-building services and supports on Gija Country in the East Kimberley.
Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre Aboriginal Corporation will receive $4.79 million for the Yanangu Yarning (people yarning) program, working with men with traditional processes of yarning through a mobile Men's Artefact Workshop in the Goldfields region.
An additional organisation, Ngaanyatjarra Health Service, is also receiving funding to deliver an on-country men's wellbeing program to be delivered across Ngaanyatjarra communities along the Western Australia and the Northern Territory border.
This funding is part of a $41.4 million Government investment under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023-2025 to develop 13 Men's Wellness Centres for First Nations peoples around Australia.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth, said the programs will be designed in partnership with communities.
"We know to achieve our goal of ending violence against women and children in one generation we must work closely with the community - and men must be part of this change," Minister Rishworth said.
"These three centres in Western Australia, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, will work within their specific remote communities to complement existing services to support men's wellbeing and reduce rates of family, domestic and sexual violence.
"The 13 Men's Wellness Centres in First Nations communities across the nation will help break the cycle of violence and keep families safe."
Senator for Western Australia Sue Lines said the funding will help make a difference to the lives of First Nations Australians.
"As I've travelled the state, meeting with First Nations groups, I've seen the work being done. This much needed and welcomed funding builds on this work and continues the supports in place for First Nations communities facing family and domestic violence," Senator Lines said.
"Every person has the right to feel safe in their own home, and the Albanese Labor Government is committed to strengthening intervention services that provide culturally safe life-saving assistance."
The initiative will also help progress Target 13 under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap 2020-2030, which aims to reduce all forms of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children by at least 50 per cent by 2031.
