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NEIL WILCOCK (“WILKO”), CO-HOST: There was an emergency [national] cabinet held by Anthony Albanese, our PM, and we found out some details yesterday that had been released from that cabinet in regards to an extend of the domestic violence package that already existed. $925 million. Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher is on the line to explain it a little bit more, good morning Katy.

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR WOMEN: Good morning, thanks for having me on.

WILKO: You are welcome. So it was great that the PM got this emergency cabinet together to discuss how we can fix this, because I think especially after COVID and then we’ve gone into the cost-of-living crisis, I think it’s even tougher for people in difficult situations over the last few years to get out of them. And hopefully this package is going to help.

GALLAGHER: Yes, look, it’s an important part of the solution. It’s not the only part, but we know that one of the reasons why women and children often stay in violent relationships is because of financial pressures. Like they don’t have enough money to leave, they can’t afford it, particularly if they’ve got children with them. So this announcement that we’re making that program permanent and that people, you know women who are in that position, will be able to get support so that they are in a position to leave, is an important part of it. But obviously there’s a whole range of other things we need to do as well, like housing, making sure the services are funded to be able to provide support to women and children as well, and at the other end try and stop the prevalence of violence in the community against women and children.

COURTENAY KNEEN (“COURTS”), CO-HOST: Katy, part of the announcement was – Wilko and I were looking at it this morning, trying to get our heads around what all this money would go to – and one of the main parts was five grand payments for women who were trying to escape a sticky situation or a violent relationship. How will that work?

GALLAGHER: Yeah, so well people would need to apply for that payment and it’s available now, but what we are doing is making some important changes to it as part of the extra money. So people can apply – women leaving violent relationships – can apply for that program now. It’s called the Escaping Violence Payment and they are eligible for that amount. But the changes we’re bringing in are, not only would you apply and get that money, you would also get support, referrals to other services and help. Because one thing we’ve learned in the last couple of years is that 80 per cent of women who’ve been applying for that payment have never had any contact with any other services like domestic violence help services before. So this part of the new program will be to make sure that they’re linked in and getting help with other services like counselling and support. So it’s a pretty important change to that program but it’s turned out to be very important. We unfortunately expect about 36,000 women to use that payment every year.

COURTS: So it’s kinda not you know, here’s the money and you know we let you go. Like, you follow up and look after them.

GALLAGHER: That’s right. And I think that hasn’t been a feature – the Uniting Care, who’s running that program, hasn’t been funded to do that extra work, and so that was included in the announcement as well.

WILKO: There’s a lot of shame- like I’ve obviously, I grew up in a house with domestic abuse and after speaking to my mum and even friends who have gone through it, there’s a lot of shame that’s directly attached to it and you feel like a failure. And it’s great to know that not only can you get this financial help, which is great, but also then be led down to find services that can help you get out of this situation and also stay out of this situation, because a lot of people do get overwhelmed by it and do end up going back to a situation that’s not ideal at all. So, and you’re saying that anybody who’s in this situation can obviously through government services, or Services Australia, they can find ways to get this help?

GALLAGHER: Yeah, absolutely. You know and hopefully some of the raised conversation about this in the media coverage will be promoting it as well, so that women – because we know that the conversation over the last month where it’s been really, you know it’s deeply personal for a lot of people as you say, Wilko – and you know it’s certainly I think triggering for a lot of women who are still living in violent relationships. So hopefully if there is something good to come out of a lot of the work that’s being done, is that people feel they are able to reach out and ask for assistance and that they’re not alone. Unfortunately there’s a lot of women and children who are living in situations like this or have escaped situations like this.

WILKO: Yeah, and abusers love to isolate people. So you can feel even more isolated. So, this is excellent. Of course, 1800 RESPECT if you need emergency advice. And of course you can search online for this payment and hopefully if you are in need of it you can take it up. Katy Gallagher, thanks for joining us this morning.

GALLAGHER: Thanks very much for having me on.