Treasurer Michael Ferguson had done nothing more than re-announce funding for the Family and Sexual Violence Action Plan in a time where demand for services is growing.
In last year’s budget, the minority Liberal Government announced $12.5 million toward the plan and stated that a key priority would be a commitment to increase funding for Tasmania’s nine specialist family and violence services.
But one year on, the Treasurer has just provided the same as last year even though the government’s own Gender Budget shows that family violence is worsening in the state.
Adding to the insult, Treasurer Ferguson has not taken into consideration that the indexation provided will not cover the costs of running these services, which could result in these vital services put at risk.
While Labor welcomes the work on the multi-disciplinary services, it appears that this too will be underfunded and under resourced.
It beggars belief that the minority Liberal Government can ask departments to cut $300 million in essential services to help pay for their taxpayer-funded billion dollar stadium when many Tasmanians are in crisis.
This government says that eliminating family and sexual violence is a priority, but their actions are saying otherwise.
Michelle O’Byrne MP
Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence