Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Pocock for the question. I'm not sure I've got all of the detail in terms of being able to answer that, but the majority of the allocation to that plan, 'Our Ways—Strong Ways—Our Voices', which was a huge piece of work that has been delivered in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women across the country, as Senator Pocock said, backed by $218.3 million in new funding over four years—my understanding of that is that that funding will primarily be provided to Aboriginal community controlled organisations to deliver community led specialist support services as a commitment to the principles that underpin the plan, which are that ACCOs are in a better position to deliver tailored support services to local communities.

So that's primarily how the funding will be allocated to the national network of up to 40 Aboriginal community controlled organisations to deliver those services. There may be exceptions to that where, for one reason or another, that's the appropriate decision. But, in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, the fundamental principles underpinning 'Our Ways—Strong Ways—Our Voices', as the first ever dedicated plan to end violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children, have been to partner with those organisations that are best placed to deliver those support services. It has been a matter of significant discussion, since the national plan was implemented and agreed by states and territories, that a specific plan that responded to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women was required, which has led to this plan being agreed and the funding being allocated to it.