Liberal candidate for Parramatta, Katie Mullens, welcomes today’s announcement that public spaces, parklands and transport hubs across the state will undergo a safety overhaul under a re-elected Liberal Government as part of a $30 million boost to the Safer Cities program to ensure women and girls feel safe in public.
“This investment means women in Parramatta will benefit as the Safer Cities program is doubled to deliver important safety upgrades right across NSW.” Ms Mullens said.
“Every single person in Parramatta has the right to feel safe in public and that is why the Perrottet Liberal Government is doubling its investment to boost safety infrastructure in our parks and on our streets so that everyone, but particularly women, feel safe.”
“This funding builds on the Liberal Government’s $787 million investment to deliver important initiatives that boost the safety of women and girls across our state and new initiatives, including the ‘Right to Ask’ scheme.”
Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the program was important to improve safety and reduce harassment on our streets.
“This is not a one-off fix and it is critical we continue to engage with women and girls to identify areas that can be improved so women and girls can feel safe in our cities, especially after dark,” Mrs Ward said.
“That’s why a re-elected Liberals and ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s Government will work with the Women’s Safety Commissioner to roll out a reporting system so women can identify places that feel unsafe.
“I have also instructed the Secretary of Transport undertake a review to consider how existing practices and infrastructure could be bolstered to improve the safety, comfort and confidence of women who use public transport.”
The Safer Cities Program has three goals, which are aligned with the UN Safer Cities for Girls program:
- Increasing women and girls’ safety and access to public spaces
- Enabling women and girls to move freely and alone in their community
- Increasing women and girls’ engagement with how the spaces around them are designed and managed
Final locations to receive funding will be recommended by NSW Government agencies based on a range of factors including BOCSAR data.
These announcements build upon the NSW Liberal’s recent commitments to boosting women’s safety, including:
- $20 million for up to 200 additional electronic monitoring devices to monitor domestic violence offenders;
- Rental bonds to help victim-survivors of domestic violence to help rebuild their lives;
- Reviewing all sentences for domestic violence related offences;
- Funding a specialise Domestic and Family Violence list in three locations and give additional magistrates; and,
- Undertaking a feasibility study into establishing a dedicated Domestic and Family Violence court.
The NSW Liberal Government has also introduced the ‘Right to Ask’ scheme, where people can find out if their partner has a history of domestic violence offences.
