Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

With a minute and four seconds available to me, I move:

That the Senate take note of the answers given to my question by Senator Payne on behalf of the Attorney-General.

I asked her where the money was for frontline services to protect women and children fleeing violence. Her answer was that that was a politicisation of this issue. It was kind of a bit ironic that she then went on to detail the funding that she says the government is in fact providing, but that wasn't politicisation.

In any event, that funding is absolutely pitiful. It is miniscule. It is not what's required. We know a good $5 billion and a 10-year funding commitment is what's required. But apparently it's all too complex. The minister said the issue is just too complex; it can't be fixed with funding. It would be a good start if crisis support services didn't have to turn women and children away because they don't have the resources to help them when they reach out for that help. The beds are full and some of the phone calls can't be answered because there are simply not enough resources. The government could fix this today and they should do so.

Question agreed to.