Media release
After several years of persistent advocacy, YWCA Canberra today welcomes the release of the audit report by the ACT Audit Office which scrutinised the monitoring, reporting and transparency of the Safer Families Levy.
The report underscores troubling findings: prevention and recovery services remain underfunded, and no overarching strategy has guided Levy-funded initiatives since its inception in 2016.
“We are deeply troubled but also relieved by the findings of the audit report, which confirm a lack of transparency and accountability in the allocation of funds from the Safer Families Levy” said Frances Crimmins, YWCA Canberra CEO
“It’s no surprise that in anticipation of the findings of the Auditor-General, the ACT Government finally allocated the bulk of the Levy towards frontline services in the 2024-2025 Budget. It took eight years of the sector pleading with their hands out for more support before a reality check by the Auditor-General delivered funding to these desperately under resourced services”. said Frances Crimmins, YWCA Canberra CEO.
The report found that although total levy funding has increased, prevention and recovery services have not been prioritised and their funding proportion has not significantly changed since 2016-17.
YWCA Canberra faced critical challenges including suspending ACT Policing referrals to our Domestic Violence Support Service, due to insufficient staffing. Funding for two specialist workers was only secured in July 2023, despite years of escalating demand.
Despite the Safer Families Levy being an obligation of Canberra rate payers for now nine years, the report found that its effectiveness has been undermined by the absence of a Territory wide strategy to respond to domestic, family and sexual violence.
“The Auditor-General found there was no formal process to inform Levy funded initiatives because there was no overarching strategy to guide responses to violence against women. Without system-wide evidence to inform programs, we got disconnected thought bubbles”. said Frances Crimmins, YWCA Canberra CEO
With the Levy set to rise to $70 per household by 2026, amidst rising cost-of-living pressures, urgent reforms are essential. Every dollar must directly support survivors and prevent domestic, family and sexual violence in our community.
YWCA Canberra looks forward to collaborating with the newly appointed Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, to address these systemic issues.
For further information or media inquiries, please contact:
Leah Dwyer
Director of Advocacy & Policy YWCA Canberra
leah.dwyer@ywca-canberra.org.au
0406 122 358
About YWCA Canberra: YWCA Canberra is a feminist, not-for-profit community organisation that has been providing essential services for women, children, and families in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) for over 90 years. We work to eliminate gender inequality and promote social justice, aiming to create opportunities for girls and women to lead fulfilling lives.
Domestic Violence Support – YWCA Canberra (ywca-canberra.org.au)