The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its goal to end gender-based violence in one generation, with more crisis accommodation services for First Nations communities.
Last year we invested $17.4 million in the capacity of crisis accommodation services to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We're now expanding the program with a further investment of $14.8 million that goes to new organisations and new regions across Australia. It brings the total investment in this program to $32.2 million.
Organisations in remote and regional communities in Far North Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory will be able to apply for a share of the new funding.
Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth said this additional investment will address outstanding service gaps so no Australian is left behind or forgotten.
The Minister today visited Warringu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation (Warringu) in Cairns - a recipient of the original funding grant.
"The amazing support and services that Warringu have provided to their community is a testament to what First Nations-led organisations can provide when properly resourced. This demonstrates that a grant expansion will give much needed access to those in need," Minister Rishworth said.
"We have identified possible service gaps in a number of regions around the country, including in the Torres Strait Islands, and will expand the program to those areas to allow for critical services to be provided in these communities."
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said the Albanese Labor Government is committed to working with First Nations organisations to address the disproportionately high rates of family violence experienced by First Nations women and children.
"This further investment will mean more First Nations-led and Community-Controlled organisations can deliver culturally safe crisis accommodation to women and children," Minister McCarthy said.
"I'm particularly pleased this investment includes services in regional and remote communities, where support can be harder to access."
Karen Dini-Paul, Chief Executive Officer for Warringu, emphasised Warringu's commitment to being a recipient of the Increasing Capacity of Crisis Accommodation Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples grant to fund their Regional & Remote Women's Shelters project.
"This project is critical to addressing the increasing complexity of challenges faced by women, living in Far North Queensland and Torres Strait communities," Ms Dini-Paul said.
"Warringu has developed a unique and successful model of care, drawing on years of experience working directly with women and children facing domestic, family, and sexual violence.
"This grant gives Warringu the opportunity to support 14 sister shelters throughout Far North Queensland to develop models of care tailored to remote and Indigenous communities, ensuring the shelter system is adaptive, culturally relevant, and sustainable."
The expansion of the grant will prioritise funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and Indigenous-led entities, aligning with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023-2025 (Action Plan).
