WIMMERA Uniting Care chief executive Wendy Sturgess is pleased the state budget has a strong focus on family violence and mental health initiatives.
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The state government announced a $572-million funding package earlier this month to fulfil 65 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
The money was included in Wednesday’s budget.
The funding includes $152.5 million for crisis housing, to provide more shelter and homes to people fleeing abusive relationships.
Ms Sturgess said it was encouraging to see the commitment honoured in the budget, though more detail was needed.
“It will be good to see the detail of the family violence funding. We are strongly advocating for two family violence safety hubs to be in the Wimmera, with one in Horsham,” she said.
“We feel that is needed to reflect the high rate of family violence in the area.”
Ms Sturgess said she was also pleased to see the state government commit money for suicide prevention initiatives.
The budget included $356 million to boost Victoria's mental health services, with $27.5 million dedicated to suicide prevention strategies.
“It is encouraging there is focus on halving the suicide rate in the next decade in Victoria,” Ms Sturgess said.
“Any initiative around suicide prevention is welcome.
“When families are in drought, as we are now, they are more vulnerable to mental health challenges.
“It is hard to deal with the continuing stresses that drought brings, and those stresses are beyond just financial.
“It's about providing emotional support for people, and we're pleased the government is putting a focus on that.”
Ms Sturgess also welcomed money for the Wimmera Cancer Centre in Horsham.
“That's a really good community initiative that we know many families will benefit from,” she said.