Mrs FINOCCHIARO - 2016-05-25
Can you please outline what the Country Liberal government is doing to reduce domestic violence across the Territory in Budget 2016-17?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for this important question. Last week I announced funding in Budget 2016-17 of $6.7m to fund a third year of the Northern Territory Domestic and Family Violence Reduction Strategy, Safety is Everyone’s Right. There is also $700 000 to continue selected aspects of the Alice Springs Integrated Response, including the men’s behavioural change program. This funding will ensure the continued focus on reducing the levels of violence against women in the Territory.
An important component of the Safety is Everyone’s Right strategy is the Family Safety Framework, an action-based integrated service response to individuals and families who are at risk of homicide or further serious harm. The Family Safety Framework has already been established in Alice Springs and is now also operational in Darwin, Katherine, Yuendumu, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy. This announcement shows the commitment this government has to advancing the status of women in the Territory.
Late last year I was also pleased to announce the establishment of the Women’s Consultative Council, and I am delighted to further announce that the members have been selected and the Office of Women’s Policy is now working to schedule its first meeting. I table a paper on the Women’s Consultative Council. I congratulate each appointed member and look forward to working with them all. The list will be made publicly available today.
This initiative will ensure all women across the Territory can engage directly with government on issues affecting their lives. This will better inform policy on a broader range of issues they determine. The council’s members are rural, remote and urban women from all walks of life and occupations who are strategic thinkers and leaders in their communities. The council has been established under the Country Liberal policy framework for Northern Territory women from 2015 to 2020.
Late last year I also announced I would be tabling in the Chamber progress of the framework actions of the policy. I am pleased to table it today. Whilst in the areas of women’s safety we are leaps and bounds ahead of others jurisdictions, there are still areas we need to focus on and build on the 90% reduction this government has achieved in domestic violence assaults.
In economic security it is disheartening that there is still a wider gender pay gap in the Northern Territory private sector. The Commonwealth Workplace Gender Equality Agency released a report in March 2016 which shows that the Northern Territory gender pay gap in the private sector increased from 18% in 2014 to 20% full-time ordinary earnings.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister your time has expired.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for this important question. Last week I announced funding in Budget 2016-17 of $6.7m to fund a third year of the Northern Territory Domestic and Family Violence Reduction Strategy, Safety is Everyone’s Right. There is also $700 000 to continue selected aspects of the Alice Springs Integrated Response, including the men’s behavioural change program. This funding will ensure the continued focus on reducing the levels of violence against women in the Territory.
An important component of the Safety is Everyone’s Right strategy is the Family Safety Framework, an action-based integrated service response to individuals and families who are at risk of homicide or further serious harm. The Family Safety Framework has already been established in Alice Springs and is now also operational in Darwin, Katherine, Yuendumu, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy. This announcement shows the commitment this government has to advancing the status of women in the Territory.
Late last year I was also pleased to announce the establishment of the Women’s Consultative Council, and I am delighted to further announce that the members have been selected and the Office of Women’s Policy is now working to schedule its first meeting. I table a paper on the Women’s Consultative Council. I congratulate each appointed member and look forward to working with them all. The list will be made publicly available today.
This initiative will ensure all women across the Territory can engage directly with government on issues affecting their lives. This will better inform policy on a broader range of issues they determine. The council’s members are rural, remote and urban women from all walks of life and occupations who are strategic thinkers and leaders in their communities. The council has been established under the Country Liberal policy framework for Northern Territory women from 2015 to 2020.
Late last year I also announced I would be tabling in the Chamber progress of the framework actions of the policy. I am pleased to table it today. Whilst in the areas of women’s safety we are leaps and bounds ahead of others jurisdictions, there are still areas we need to focus on and build on the 90% reduction this government has achieved in domestic violence assaults.
In economic security it is disheartening that there is still a wider gender pay gap in the Northern Territory private sector. The Commonwealth Workplace Gender Equality Agency released a report in March 2016 which shows that the Northern Territory gender pay gap in the private sector increased from 18% in 2014 to 20% full-time ordinary earnings.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister your time has expired.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016