Marnin News

First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence

Our most recent trip to Canberra proved to be a great opportunity to highlight the valuable work of our sector and share the challenges that our organisations face in delivering much-needed legal and holistic support to their communities.

With a packed agenda of meetings at Parliament House spread across two days, we met with many strong supporters and allies of the FVPLS sector and we’re committed to continuing to raise the profile of organisation and advocating for long-term, sustainable funding.

Hosted by the 'First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence' (a national forum, of which MWRC is a member), it was great to join our colleagues from across Australia to learn from their on-the-ground experiences.  So thanks for coming Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit, QLD Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS), Aboriginal family Legal Services (AFLS), Aboriginal Family Legal Services QLD, Djirra VIC.

NAIDOC Week 2024

Women leaders call for JobSeeker boost to promote women’s safety

More than 200 women leaders including from business, unions, philanthropy, academia and the community sector (including MWRC CEO, Emily Carter AM) have written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urging him to provide economic security for women leaving violence by raising the rate of Jobseeker and Youth Allowance.

Read the excerpt below, or the full statement HERE

"Fixing the adequacy of JobSeeker and Youth Allowance to deliver basic economic security for women cannot wait.

For First Nations women, for women from diverse backgrounds, for women from all backgrounds, the impacts of poverty on the ability to leave violence and live in safety is profound.

No one should be forced to live in poverty. The evidence is clear: a key reason that women are unable to leave violence is because they do not have economic security.

The Escaping Violence Payment only provides an upfront cash payment of up to $1,500, with the remaining $3,500 provided by way of goods and services. To find safety, women need to know they will have basic economic security over the longer term.

Lifting social security payments will not negate the need to invest in frontline services and take the other critical steps to achieve women’s safety. However, it is a core part of ensuring women can do what they need to do in order to be safe." #RaiseTheRateForGood

MWRC welcomes national response but calls out major gaps

The National Cabinet yesterday announced a significant allocation of $925 million towards domestic and family violence initiatives, recognising the severe crisis facing Australian women. This financial commitment has been welcomed, but there's been a strong call for more focus on community-controlled services, especially those serving First Nations women and children who are disproportionately affected.

Emily Carter AM, CEO of Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre (MWRC), praised the government for responding to the increasing fatalities from gender-based violence this year. However, she stressed that these measures are just the beginning of what needs to be a much larger effort.

"There's a notable gap in funding for First Nations-led Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services (FVPLSs), which have been delivering impactful results for communities across Australia for over two decades," Ms Carter said.  She highlighted that despite the chronic underfunding and lack of resources, these services have been pivotal in supporting communities that are overrepresented in domestic violence statistics.

Ms Carter also pointed out the alarming rates of violence faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, who are 35 times more likely to be victims of domestic violence and seven times more likely to be victims of domestic homicide compared to other Australian women. She called for a proactive, knowledgeable approach to tackle these issues effectively.

"It's high time we invest properly in community-controlled organisations. They are already making a difference on the ground with proven track records in early intervention, prevention, crisis management, and recovery services," she added. Ms Carter emphasised that her organisation is always ready to engage with the government to find and implement solutions that address these critical issues.

Ms Carter reflected that while the government’s announcement had touched on some key issues, it did not address others - such as the roles of alcohol, drugs, gambling, and the way the judicial system treats perpetrators who breach bail/restraining order conditions.

FVPLSs continue to provide indispensable frontline legal and support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims/survivors of family violence, including intervention orders, victims of crime assistance, child protection, and family law.

Fitzroy Crossing women are teaching their languages through bright and bold picture books

As part of an ongoing partnership with Indigenous Literacy Foundation, MWRC is proud to share publication of the latest round of books:  Mayarda (Pelicans), Manyi Nganyjaali (Bush tomatoes), Kurrartuwarnti (Brolgas) and Jirntipirriny jaa Lamparn Parri (Willy Wagtail and the Little Boy).

MWRC CEO Emily Carter awarded AM

On 26 January 2024, Marninwarntikura CEO, Emily Carter, was made Member (AM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division.  This honour was in recognition for significant service to the Indigenous Community through social and economic advocacy.

Congratulations Emily Carter AM – we could not be more proud of you!