Media Release: 7 August 2003

CUTS TO COMMUNITY SECTOR WILL PUT WOMEN AND CHILDREN AT RISK

Women's Health West condemns the Victorian Government's proposal for cutting $35 million from community services. The agency calls for support for the public rally against the cuts from 12 noon on Tuesday 12 August at 1 Treasury Place.

"We are very concerned about the impact on housing and family and domestic violence support services," says Women's Health West Chair Sue Finucane. "Demand for these services continues to increase across the Western Region, and these cuts will certainly put women and children at greater risk of further violence."

The Victorian government is threatening to cut $35 million to services funded by the Department of Human Services. It plans to achieve these cuts partly through "productivity savings" and a new price index which will mean that ongoing funding may no longer keep pace with inflation and other cost increases.

"This government made a promise to continue to restore community services decimated during the Kennett years," says Ms Finucane. "This proposal represents the breaking of that promise: a reduction in funding to agencies that deliver services to one in four Victorian families - those most in need."

Women's Health West is calling on the community to support the rally against the cuts that has been called by the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) - the sector's peak body - from 12 noon on Tuesday 12 August at Treasury Place.

"The Western Region is already greatly under-serviced," says Ms Finucane. "Demand for family and domestic violence support far outstrips the services Women's Health West and other agencies can provide. This demand is growing as people become more aware of the issues and their right to live without violence."

"Waiting lists for transitional, medium and long-term housing are in a permanent state of crisis, with priority clients waiting 18 months to two years for housing, and others waiting up to ten years," says Ms Finucane. "Funding for housing support programs is dwindling, and already meets just a fraction of the demand. All community services already operate on a shoestring. These cuts will mean reduced services for clients, increased workloads for existing services, and no scope for increased services to women and children who are victims of family violence."

According to VCOSS, even KPMG - the consultants hired by the government to identify possible productivity savings in the sector - have stated that the scope for such savings is very limited and restricted to individual agencies, rather than the sector as a whole.

"The human right of women and children to live free from violence and fear must be a key priority for our community," says Ms Finucane. "We cannot compromise the safety of women and children by further slashing a sector that is already so under-resourced."

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