“No sense” to funding cut

Key players in the Challenge Family Violence program. Foreground from left: Caroline Bell, manager Community Safety, City of Casey; Michelle Smith, City of Greater Dandenong; Janelle Dymock and Kim Carter, City of Casey. Background from left: John Bennie, CEO City of Greater Dandenong; Workinea Dinsa, Oromo Community; Jacques Boulet, Kristen Sheridan, Borderlands Cooperative; Cr Leticia Wilmot, Cardinia Shire Council; Cr Mick Morland, City of Casey; Cr Graeme Moore, Cardinia Shire Council; Tony Fitzgerald, Outlook. Rear: Jim Reiher, Challenge mentor; Marama Kufi, Monash Health and Frank Cresia, Waverley Industries. 147237

By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM AND LACHLAN MOORHEAD

A LOCAL MP is calling on the Andrews Government to renew funding for the Challenge Family Violence Program, as providers await a decision from the government.
Member for Eastern Victoria, Ed O’Donohue, who is also the Shadow Minister for Police, said this week that the program was vital to driving cultural change within the community, and to cut it would “make no sense.”
Community providers have been told they must wait for news on funding until the Royal Commission into Family Violence releases its findings, which now won’t be until 29 March after the commission was granted a one-month extension in December.
The program ran for three years and engaged community leaders across Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong.
Pressure on the Andrews Government to renew funding has also come from a local level.
Casey Councillor Amanda Stapledon last week carried a notice of motion urging council to write to the Andrews Government seeking interim funding for the challenge program, which dried up in November.
Mr O’Donohue said that the Challenge Family Violence program was driving desperately needed change within the municipalities.
“As a local member, I’ve seen first-hand the grassroots work this program does in identifying mentors and pushing behavioural change,” he said.
“It makes no sense for the government to cut funding and let that good work dissipate.”
Family Violence Minister Fiona Richardson said the government was directing an $81.3 million package to ensure “those impacted by harm are supported.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is fixing Victoria’s broken system and doing more to keep those who suffer from family violence safe,” she said.
But Mr O’Donohue believes that funding should also be directed towards preventative programs, such as Challenge Family Violence.
“Fiona Richardson is talking about helping victims, but this is about driving change, developing leaders in the community who can drive that cultural change we need.
“We need both. It makes no sense to cut this program.”
If you need help, contact Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre on 1800 015 188, or via www.safesteps.org.au.