A Labor government would provide a much needed increase in refuge accommodation, Mandurah MP David Templeman and Labor Dawesville candidate Adam Woodage have pledged.
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They said WA Labor was committed to meeting the need for crisis accommodation for women and children in Mandurah and surrounding areas.
Mandurah family and domestic violence crisis service Pat Thomas House, which provides crisis accommodation and counselling for women and children or lone women escaping violence, would receive $100,000 for renovations and upgrades.
“I am just so pleased that soon the wonderful work of Pat Thomas House will be expanded to provide more families with safe and secure placements for women and children fleeing violent relationships,” Mr Templeman said.
He said a McGowan Labor government would increase the capacity in crisis accommodation in Mandurah to strengthen service responses and ensure that women and children facing domestic violence can access appropriate services.
“We will build on that capacity and work with Pat Thomas House to identify suitable additional accommodation so more women and children can be assisted,” he said.
Mr Woodage said he was pleased that WA Labor had recognized the need to allocate additional funding to repair and upgrade the existing facilities.
“$100,000 will be allocated to Pat Thomas House to repair and upgrade facilities of their existing accommodation,” he said.
Mr Templeman said this commitment was part of Labor’s bigger plan to assist victims of domestic violence in Mandurah and included a recent commitment to Allambee counselling.
The funding would respond to increased demand for crisis accommodation and would ensure that women’s needs are met by an appropriate service and in a timely manner, including culturally appropriate accommodation for Aboriginal women and children and families with children with disabilities or from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Mr Templeman said there will be purpose built cluster models utilising independent units allowing them to break through the barrier for women with older boys and larger families.
“It is crucial that we are able to respond to the needs of the community and diverse family situations,” he said.
“I am really concerned that due to domestic violence women and children often find themselves in situations of homelessness when exiting an abusive relationship.”
