I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather, the Wadjuk people of the Nyoongar nation, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with us here today.
I acknowledge President of Relationships Australia WA, Chris Lewis.
Vice Presidents Tony Dobbs and Noelene Jennings.
And board members David Nicholson and Lisa Woods.
The Honourable Justice Gail Sutherland, Chief Judge of the Family Court of Western Australia.
I thank CEO Danielle Newport for the opportunity to be here today.
It is a privilege to join you at the opening of this new Centre.
All of you here come from a diverse range of organisations.
From Family Relationship Centres, to legal services to community support networks.
And from a range of locations.
Form Joondalup to Bunbury, and from Perth to Midland.
Yet you share something in common – you all care deeply about the work you do.
And the work you do is essential.
The difference it makes lasts like few other services.
For some their childhood, for others a lifetime.
For all – they are fortunate to have access to the services you provide.
Access to people like you.
And to buildings like this.
Purpose-built for an incredibly important purpose.
The Albanese government is committed to supporting the work you do.
We understand the importance of bringing people together.
And we understand that bringing people together during a family breakdown is a complex challenge.
One requiring care and compassion.
And adequate funding.
Your care and compassionate can achieve a lot.
But it can achieve so much more, when you have a government willing to provide the support you need.
In this financial year, the government will provide a total of $9.4 million in grant funding to Relationships Australia WA.
$3.4 million will go towards this centre in Perth.
The government is committed to working in partnership with the community sector.
Supporting your organisations as you support Australians.
Central to your success is the variety of support you provide.
Assisting families across the range of challenges they face.
It is important that we as a government do the same.
Recognising that the causes and consequences of family breakdowns touch every part of our society.
It is why we have committed a record $3 billion investment to end violence against women and children.
Of this, $1.3 billion will fund a new National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and Children 2022-32.
With $1.6 billion to build at least 4,000 new social housing properties within five years.
These homes will be dedicated to women and children leaving family and domestic violence.
We have also established the new Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission, to provide national leadership in women’s safety.
The 65 FRCs across Australia support almost 30,000 Australians.
With nearly 60,000 individual sessions provided last year alone.
It is not simply the amount of people you help that is impressive, but their diverse nature.
Your clients are different – and you understand that.
Regardless of their religion, sexual orientation, cultural background or economic circumstances.
You treat each with dignity and offer support for all.
The circumstances that surround the breakdown of a family can be tragic.
But through the work you do, the lives of those affected do not have to be.
Thank you for all your work and I wish you the best in your new Centre.