The chief executive of Nova domestic violence support service, Kelly Hansen, says a Labor plan to boost crisis accommodation and staffing in Newcastle would allow her organisation to help more women and children faster.
Labor senator Jenny McAllister and Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon said on Monday that a Labor government would provide an extra $1.2 million in domestic violence crisis housing in Newcastle and fund an extra 10 staff at community support organisations such as Nova.
"We are desperate for houses. We are desperate for crisis shelter. We are desperate for staff," Ms Hansen said.
"So we welcome any announcement from any party that will listen to what we are saying."
Nova was forced in December to cut back services in the face of rising demand.
The organisation said at the time that it had more than 150 women awaiting intake, assessment and allocation to a case worker and calls for help were "far outweighing capacity".
Ms Hansen said on Monday that more money for staff and accommodation would help address Nova's waiting list.
"It would mean more housing and it would mean more crisis shelter, which means that will help women instead of living in cars, being unsafe," she said.
"It would also help staff if we know we have extra workers, because one of our biggest issues right now is staff shortages, and that's got to do with COVID and not trying to spread the virus.
"This will enable us to assist more women and children. It will also help us with our waiting list.
"This will enable us to assist women quicker with the support they need."
The Newcastle announcement was part of a Labor pledge to fund an extra 500 crisis workers across Australia; 4000 homes for women and children fleeing violence and older women on low incomes at risk of homelessness; and another $100 million for crisis accommodation.
