The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to keep women and children safe in Central Australia, with more emergency accommodation beds and improved access to wrap-around support services for families experiencing domestic violence.
The Government's $5.6 million investment, part of a $48.8 million community safety initiative, will increase emergency beds and support through Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL) and Women's Safety Services of Central Australia (WoSSCA).
The funding will see AHL's Apmere Mwerre Visitor Park (AMVP) add a further 20 crisis beds for First Nations people in Alice Springs and across Central Australia, including women and children experiencing domestic violence.
Additional funding to WoSSCA will see the service expand its support to First Nations women in the Alice Springs region, including additional support for their children. Up to 35 per cent of people supported by WoSSCA are aged 15 years and younger.
The investment follows extensive conversations and consultation with community stakeholders and organisations across Central Australia over the last 8 months – there is a strong consensus that more domestic violence support services are needed in the region.
The Government has been working directly with service providers to map out where funding should be directed to drive community-led solutions.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience disproportionately higher rates of violence – some 34 times more hospitalisations than other Australian women.
The collective efforts of the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments, the Office of the Central Australian Regional Controller, the Central Australian Plan Aboriginal Leadership Group and stakeholders across the region, will secure a better, safer future for Central Australia.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney:
"I have visited Alice Springs and Central Australia five times and have listened to communities about what matters to them and what is needed to keep women and children safe.
"This $5.6 million investment will provide a further 20 emergency beds for First Nations families at Apmere Mwerre Visitor Park in Alice Springs, while Women's Safety Services of Central Australia will be able to support more families in crisis with community-driven solutions.
"We are committed to working in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and community organisations on the ground to make a practical difference."
Quotes attributable to Marion Scrymgour, Member for Lingiari
"Apmere Mwerre in the Arrernte language means 'good place' and that's exactly what First Nations families experiencing crisis in Central Australia need.
"The feeling of being scared and unsafe in most people creates a trauma, and that can affect you for your whole life. So we have to do both - provide safe places and do the work to try to prevent the violence that's happening.
"This initiative is another step in the rollout of our overall strategy to improve safety for women, children and families, and to make Alice Springs a safer place."