Western Sydney MRC welcomes the increased funding on family and domestic violence supports, including the $10.3m for temporary visa holders as outlined in the Australian Government Budget 2021.
Western Sydney MRC welcomes the increased funding on family and domestic violence supports, including the $10.3m for temporary visa holders as outlined in the Australian Government Budget 2021.
As a primary support service for refugees and migrant, Western Sydney MRC has expertise in working with both survivors of FDV as well as men who use violence; and strongly support the funding injection into diverse support areas including emergency accommodation, legal services, prevention and intervention programs.
$26.8 million has been allocated over 3 years for migrant and refugee women that will be to support with Family and Domestic Violence and women’s social and economic engagement that will be provided to existing SETs providers across Australia.
This is a welcome injection of not only funding but focus and recognition of the need and gap in accessing mainstream services.
We welcome continued and increased commitment to mental health with a $1.4b investment. The budget has recognised the diverse needs are a different cultural response to mental health committing $16.9 million to early intervention and preventative measures in CALD communities.
We look forward to working with Government on ensuring an equitable distribution across regions and communities. There are highly vulnerable communities in our local area that need to benefit directly from this investment as outlined in the Western Sydney MRC welcomes the increased funding on family and domestic violence supports, including the $10.3m for temporary visa holders as outlined in the Australian Government Budget 2021.
In Western Sydney MRC experience one of the significant challenges for CALD communities is understanding and accessing age care. As such, we are pleased to see dedicated funding for special needs groups to connect and access aged care services, alongside the overall funding increase to revamp the aged care sector.
Social Security payments
Western Sydney MRC raises concerns regarding changes in wait time for new residents to access social security payments. Current exemptions apply to the 4-year residency waiting periods for parental leave payments, carers payment and family tax benefits. This will have an increased impact on the vulnerable communities we work with. Studies from Melbourne1 during the COVID pandemic have shown that recently arrived communities face financial stress at more than double the Australian born population, the lasting impact of this stress may be a short term saving but felt in generations to come.
In areas that have youth unemployment at over 20%, and massive under-employment, what is required is localised targeted support.
As a result, these changes could have significant impacts and push vulnerable families into destitution. We eagerly awaiting more information on this budget measure.
Reference: 1. (Maury, S., Levine, J., Lasater, Z., Vidal, L., & Ulbrick, M. (2020). “Understanding impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable Australians: insights from Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand.” Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, Melbourne. https://goodshep.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GSH031-COVID-19-Report-DP5.pdf ) Accessed 12 May 2021.
