The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
Minister for Social Services
Minister for the National Disability insurance Scheme
Federal Member for Kingston
Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm
Assistant Minister for Education
Assistant Minister for Regional Development
Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Senator for Queensland
The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to address domestic and family violence, investing over $8.1 million in new Men's Wellness Centres in Queensland.
Three local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations will roll out culturally appropriate domestic violence programs and activities for First Nations men and boys in their communities.
W.Y.L.D. Projects Indigenous Organisation will receive $1.7 million for the Babbinyuwi Wanda Rites of Passage Program in Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Bundaberg. Cultural, therapeutic, and trauma-informed healing programs will support young men to develop positive relationships with each other and the community.
Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Company will deliver the Strong Men, Strong Families - Strengthening men's contributions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family wellbeing program in Toowoomba and the Darling Downs region, supported by investment of $4.18 million. The program will include local, integrated, culturally centred, and strength-based supports and healing for boys, and men whose behaviour is placing their family at risk of harm and potential intervention by child protection authorities.
Goondir Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders Corporation for Health Services will receive $2.25 million for the Dreamtime Resilience - Sowing Deep Cultural Roots in Men program in Dalby. It includes mentoring through the Big Buddy Program in St George, and cultural development programs, art studio workshops, and social and emotional wellbeing activities.
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 centres would prioritise and target the specific needs of First Nations communities in Queensland.
"Through a variety of culturally appropriate activities, the Men's Wellness Centres will provide training, support, mentoring and healing to First Nations men and young men in Queensland to support family wellbeing and safety," Minister Rishworth said.
"These programs are led by First Nations communities, drawing on First Nations knowledge, to help communities to stop the cycle of violence.
"We are proud to support these new community-led solutions to better meet the needs of First Nations men and boys and improve the safety of families and communities."
Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland, Anthony Chisholm said this investment was another example of the Albanese Government's commitment to address domestic and family violence.
"Since Labor was elected, we've invested over $400 million in early intervention. But it's frontline investments, like these ones in regional Queensland, that will be vital to ending the vicious cycle of gender-based violence."
This initiative will also help progress Target 13 under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which aims to reduce all forms of violence against First Nations women and children by at least 50 per cent by 2031.
