[Greens-Media] Domestic violence job losses shames Premier Iemma

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Release 
4 February 2008


Domestic violence job losses shames Premier Iemma

Greens MP and women*s spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said today that
Premier Morris Iemma*s plan to upgrade domestic violence services was
in tatters following his government*s decision to abolish 24
anti-domestic violence workers* positions.

"Premier Iemma has notched up another failure. In 2006 he declared war
on domestic violence and gave a personal pledge to find new solutions.
Now he has sacked the workers who are doing just that," Ms Rhiannon
said.

*The benefits of setting up the anti-domestic violence unit in the
Premier*s Department has been lost by the winding up of these 24
positions in the Department of Community Services. 

*The Premier has said that he wants more NSW women to speak out if
they are facing domestic violence. These cuts mean that there are fewer
people who can listen and respond to their experiences. 

*No spin doctor can get the Premier out of this debacle. Everyone
knows that a key to reducing domestic violence is providing more workers
to assist the victims. 

*Although the Premier has to take responsibility for this backdown on
tackling domestic violence the measures adopted have Treasurer Michael
Costa*s finger prints all over it. 

*The Treasurer*s obsession with cost cutting may well put lives at
risk. 

*The Premier*s fine words on fighting domestic violence have not
borne fruit as once again he does not stand up Treasurer Costa.

*The 24 workers employed by the Department of Community Services have
developed a range of strategies to end violence against women and
children. 

*Much of the corporate knowledge they have developed from their work
with local government, indigenous communities and local organisations
will be lost when these jobs go,* said Ms Rhiannon.



For more information * Lee Rhiannon: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568