Domestic violence victims in regional and remote Queensland will be cut off from vital support as the Palaszczuk Government strips future funding to the Women’s Legal Services hotline.
Yet there has not been even a whisper from Labor MPs across Queensland – not one plea to Attorney-General Yvette D’ath maintain this vital service.
This is a Labor government that is happy to give $600,000 to the Environmental Defenders Office, who do nothing but run interference on important job generating projects, but can’t find a fraction of that funding to aid victims of domestic violence.
13,000 calls for service every year will go unanswered because of the Palaszczuk Government’s cuts to this vital service if the funding is not restored.
I recently wrote to Labor’s Ms D’ath imploring her to re-consider the cuts, yet she has refused to budge.
Domestic violence is not isolated to South East Queensland – victims across the width and breadth of Queensland deserve to get the same support as anybody else.
Local Labor MPs should hang their heads in shame for sitting idly by and letting this terrible situation unfold.
In government, the LNP provided extra money in 2012 and again in 2014, and it’s only the LNP that will provide safe and liveable communities across Queensland.
Ros Bates
LNP Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence