Councillors speak out against cuts to women’s refuges

​Leichhardt Council recently voted unanimously in favour of an urgency motion supporting continued state government funding for women’s specialist homelessness services, such as women’s refuges, which would otherwise face closure in the near future. The Council has joined Leichhardt Women’s Community Health Centre as part of a community-wide push to review the tender process for essential services.

“The services support some of the most at risk women and children in our community and have dedicated staff with expertise in domestic violence, mental health, drug alcohol, and sexual assault support. As a nurse, I know it’s vitally important that women and their children have access to women’s specialist services for homelessness and integrated care,” said Deputy Mayor Linda Kelly.

Greens Councillor Daniel Kogoy agreed with Cr Kelly’s concerns, arguing that the number of women and children who would be displaced as a result of the refuge closures is too grave to ignore.

“This is very concerning news that nine women’s specialist homeless services are to close down. If the changes to the tender process are followed through, it will mean 2000 vulnerable women and children will be without a safe place to stay,” said Cr Kogoy.

“The state government must continue to fund these specialist women’s homelessness services.”

Whilst the future of women’s refuges hangs in the balance, manager of Leichhardt Women’s Community Health Centre Roxanne McMurray said she was very pleased by the strong support the issue had received from Council.

“This reflects it’s not a political issue but a community issue of grave concern. The current process excludes participation by small-scale, locally based specialist services with a proven track record in working effectively with highly vulnerable women, drawn from all parts of Sydney .. We’re looking forward to working with council and other community members in asking the government to reconsider the tender process.”

The Department of Family and Community Services has begun announcing the successful tenderers for this month and June with some services already being issued with wind-up notices and reduced funding.