NSW Premier Chris Minns said the government would revisit funding cuts to domestic violence programs following discussions with Wagga MP Joe McGirr. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
The NSW Government will review its decision to cut funding for critical domestic violence programs in Wagga.
During a visit to Wagga last week, Premier Chris Minns said he would reconsider a July announcement that Wagga Women’s Health Centre (WWHC) had failed in its application for $600,000 funding for its 2025/2026 domestic violence programs. The decision caused an outcry and community protests.
Mr Minns joked that he was “being put in a headlock” by Wagga MP Dr Joe McGirr to review the funding cut.
“I do have to acknowledge Joe’s said that we need to revisit this,” Mr Minns said.
“He’s been very clear with me and my colleagues, we are going to have a close look at it.”
Mr Minns also announced $4.2 million funding for youth justice programs in the Riverina and Western Sydney over the next two years, leaving many confused about why the government would take away funds for an established program and promise money to something new.
“I want to make it clear the decision was made independent of politicians,” Mr Minns said.
“I’m not suggesting that DV programs aren’t important, but I think we’ve got to be a bit clear about the definitions. This is a separate initiative about at-risk youth and in regional NSW.”
However, WWHC president Vickie Burkinshaw thinks this is a “crock of a response”.
“While this is fantastic, we do not want to keep having to patch our women up without the hope that primary prevention programs bring,” Ms Burkinshaw said.
“Primary prevention needs to be balanced with incarceration.
“If we are not working with our community on the root causes of DV, or engaging our young people in conversations on healthy relationships and helping our women understand coercive control, the vicious cycle of DV will continue.
“Preventing violence against women and family violence is a complex and long-term goal. To prevent violence against women we must address the drivers of the problem, as well as factors that can make the violence worse.
“These drivers are expressed through social and individual norms, structures and practices and are deeply rooted in our social fabric, making them difficult to change.
“By interrupting funding to the WWHC we risk moving backwards.”
Mr Minns also highlighted the “enormous amount of money into DV prevention programs”.
“Largely it’s been in specific programs,” he said.
“The largest one that we’ve funded has been the Staying Home Leaving Violence Program, which is a front door initiative.
“There may be commonalities and overlap, but we can’t have a situation where we’re saying, ‘Oh, we don’t need to do anything for juvenile justice because we fund domestic violence programs’.
“The primary prevention programs are really important. We’ve just got to make sure we get the mix right.”
WWHC was set to lose its funding as of 31 August. The funding had been used for several education initiatives organised and operated by the WWHC, including men’s education programs, school education programs, Ngangkari healing services, the Say No to Violence campaign and the 16 Days of Activism initiative.
The Staying Home Leaving Violence Program works with NSW police to remove the perpetrator from the family home to prevent victims of DV from being homeless.
“Fascinating that the Premier doesn’t seem to know what primary prevention is,” Ms Burkinshaw said.
“We really appreciate the advocacy role Joe has played in bringing this to the attention of the Premier and Minister Jodie Harrison.
“As we understand it, the decision was also made independently of the people on the ground who work with us in the Department of Communities and Justice, who can attest to the great work we are doing.
“[Ms Harrison] has agreed to look at a proposal for a one-off one-year program.
“While this is not ideal for the longer term, we will submit an application and continue to campaign for long-term funding for primary prevention programs as promised by the Government to Innovation Fund recipients such as the WWHC.”
