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The South Australian government has pledged to implement nearly all of the 136 recommendations from the state’s intense royal commission on domestic violence.
This commitment will see an unprecedented investment of $674 million aimed at tackling domestic and family violence issues across the region.
“This marks the most substantial new financial investment in addressing this challenge in our state’s history,” stated Premier Peter Malinauskas.
The funding will facilitate several key initiatives, including the formation of a specialized police unit of 100 officers, led by an assistant commissioner, specifically focused on domestic violence cases.
Additionally, the plan includes the creation of a 24/7 support center and a significant increase in public housing availability for victims, effectively doubling the current number of properties.
The announcement comes two years after a week in South Australia when four women were killed by men.
“That was a heartbreaking week, a week that demanded more action,” Minister for Women Katrine Hildyard said.
Of the 136 recommendations put forward, 129 are slated for implementation.
The only ones to be rejected were the changes associated with smacking a child.
“We don’t want people for a moment exercising unnecessary caution in those legitimate circumstances because an intervention of government,” Malinauskas said.
The government has allowed 10 years to implement the changes, although some measures have already been enacted, with Hilyard taking on a new family, domestic and sexual violence portfolio.
“We will be acting with haste where we can, but patience where we must,” Malinauskas said.