More than half a billion dollars will go towards dealing with domestic violence in a bid to undo years of “neglect” in Australia’s most populous state.
The funding will go towards supporting victim-survivors and keeping alleged abusers behind bars to “build a safer NSW”.
The government announced the funding pledges on Monday before the state budget is unveiled on June 24.
About half of the money is earmarked for a $227 million injection into the state’s victims’ support service over five years.
The service helps victim-survivors and family members access counselling and financial assistance.
Non-government support services will get more certainty around funding with five-year contracts promised.
Almost $50 million will be spent on making it easier for victim-survivors to give evidence, with remote courtrooms sparing them the risk of attending the same court complex as their abuser.
The funds will also provide counselling, legal aid and financial advice at a hub expected to open in late 2027.
“This hub will make a major difference, especially for women and children who have mustered the courage to give evidence against a domestic violence perpetrator,” Premier Chris Minns said.
Recent changes to bail for alleged domestic violence offenders has also increased the number of inmates on remand, pushing the state’s prison population to near record-highs.
More than $100 million will go towards corrective services to help cope with the increase.
Another change ensured all bail decisions would be made by magistrates, following the high-profile April 2024 murder of Molly Ticehurst in Forbes, allegedly by her former boyfriend Daniel Billings, who was granted bail by a registrar about two weeks earlier.
Ten virtual courtrooms are planned to support remote bail hearings, along with an additional five courtrooms at major courthouses in Sydney’s city centre, costing almost $35 million.
The funds will lay the foundation for longer-term reforms, Domestic Violence Prevention Minister Jodie Harrison said.
“This is work that previous governments have neglected for many years.”
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline 13 11 14
Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491
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