Member for Geraldton, Kirrilee Warr MLA, has called for the State Government to commit to their election promise to deliver 12 additional refuge units in the electorate.
In the lead up to the State election, The Nationals WA made a commitment to build 12 refuge units for women and families affected by domestic violence in Geraldton, with $16m promised.
It was a commitment also made by WA Labor, but a recent Parliament sitting day revealed a change to their promise to just eight refuge units, prompting Ms Warr to seek clarification.
“There is a critical need for safe, secure, and appropriate accommodation to address the growing rates of family and domestic violence in Geraldton,” she said.
“To hear the State Government is planning to deliver only eight units is disappointing and raises the question: why have these targets been changed?
“12 units is the minimum needed to be delivered to the Geraldton community: anything less is yet another broken promise under Labor”
Recent WA Police crime statistics revealed alarming increases in reports for domestic assault (72.3 per cent) and threats (231.5 per cent) over the past five years in the Mid-West Gascoyne region.
The State Budget unveiled last month showed $1.4m to be spent over the next two financial years to create a business case for the expansion of family and domestic violence units in Geraldton and Albany.
However, with no funding allocated beyond 2026-27, Ms Warr said there is little guarantee this project is being treated with urgency.
“People deserve to feel safe, and these refuge units will go a long way to helping, but the number of reported incidents continues to grow,” she said.
“Victims and their families need support, and the delivery of these units promptly would go a long way in the community.”
Ms Warr discussed the refuge units during budget estimates, where she asked about the severity of the situation, and about keeping families together through the difficult periods.
“Families in crisis need to stick together, and the minister must ensure this will be the case for the refuges going forward,” she said.
“Young men under 18 shouldn’t be forced away from their families who are seeking safety through refuges.”
Ms Warr vowed to continue to advocate for this issue and is seeking further information.