Survivors of domestic violence are a step closer to being able to access holistic support to recover from trauma after plans for a wraparound service receive vital funding in the federal budget.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced $25 million would be made available to the Illawarra Women's Health Centre, south of Wollongong, over five years to set up Australia's first domestic violence trauma recovery centre.
The centre's manager, Sally Stevenson, said she was surprised to get a call from the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday night after a lengthy campaign to have the project funded.
"We're still a little bit in shock. We weren't expecting it," Ms Stevenson said.
"It's what we've been calling for, for a number of years … to have this commitment is phenomenal," she said.
'The evidence is there'
Ms Stevenson said the money would be used to fund the operation of the centre.
"Over [the five years], we know that we can show this will work," she said.
"The whole design is based on in-depth research, and it has included the experiences of women who have gone through trauma and abuse.
Ms Stevenson said the centre would now work to secure additional funding from the New South Wales government to purchase land and a building for the recovery facility.
The local funding has been allocated as part of a $290 million national investment in the recovery of victim-survivors over five years, including a commitment to improving the family law and justice system.
Savings at the petrol pump
Transport operators in the region also welcomed the government's move to cut the fuel excise in half for six months after struggling with the pinch at the bowser.
Motorists are expected to save 22 cents a litre once the tax cut is passed on.
"It's been costing us about $12,000 a day extra in fuel," said Alan Ross from Ross Transport at Port Kembla.
"So this will save us anything from $150 to $200 each way to Melbourne.
Mr Ross said his drivers had noticed a large discrepancy in the cost of fuel at different service stations across the country.
"We have a difference of 20 per cent between servos," he said.
"The government is doing the right thing, but there's someone out there making a lot of money, and it's not the little guy, I have to say.
"Let's see what happens in six months … how long until the fuel goes up when we lose our 22 cents."
More training for aged care staff
However, aged care workers have expressed disappointment after they failed to receive a pay rise, with local industry leaders describing the budget as a "missed opportunity."
"What a huge opportunity for an Australian government, with the [aged care] royal commission independently listing more than 100 recommendations, to actually roll them out and fund them," said the regional chair of Aged and Community Services Australia and Warrigal Care chief executive, Mark Sewell.
"Those things should be happening now — everyone agrees they're urgent. Everyone agrees there's enormous pressure on providing good services for older people.
The Morrison government has announced $49.5 million to subsidise an additional 15,000 training places for workers entering the sector and one-off cash payments for workers of up to $400.
Mr Sewell said he felt the measure would help counter a recent exodus of staff from the industry, despite failing to address the retention issues.
"It's really wrong that some of our lowest-paid workers, doing frontline essential work should have to pay for their vocational training," he said.
"More funded training courses that are free for recipients is a great initiative."
Mr Sewell said cash payments for low-to-middle income earners paid less than $126,000 per year would also benefit staff in the aged care sector.
"Our frontline workers are mostly part-time, and they will really enjoy the relief on petrol prices, the extra cash in their pocket to get them through for the cost-of-living increases," he said.
"This is going to provide them with some support … not enough, but it's better than nothing."
