LABOR has promised $50,000 to renovate and expand the cramped quarters of The Women’s Cottage at Richmond if it wins the upcoming election.
“Family violence is a national emergency,” Ms Templeman said. “We have a collective responsibility to ensure women have somewhere safe to go if they’re being abused – whether that is their own home, or somewhere else.
The Shadow Minister for Women, Senator Claire Moore visited the Cottage with Ms Templeman on Monday to make the announcement.
Ms Templeman said The Women’s Cottage offers specialist, experienced and skilled support for women who have encountered violence and abuse.
She said despite demand continuing to increase, “in his disastrous 2014 Budget, Tony Abbott cut funding to women’s refuges and community legal services”.
Women’s Cottage manager Sharon Payne said the funds promise “recognises the importance of the work done by the Women’s Cottage over the past 33 years”.
“Today we were able to show both Senator Moore and Ms Templeman the cramped premises we operate our service from,” she said.
“Their acknowledgement of the need for improved premises to support the increasing demand from women in the Hawkesbury is crucial. This promise will allow us to work with all levels of government and the community to continue to address the issue of domestic violence in the Hawkesbury.”
