Djirra congratulates the Labor Party on the Federal Election outcome and looks forward to continuing to work together to take meaningful action to end to violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.

The election results provide Djirra with a renewed sense of hope that the people of this country reject the politics of division and racism. This now gives the Albanese Government a clear mandate to strive for a fair and equitable future for our people, and especially for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who put their trust and belief in Djirra.

Some progress was made by Labor last term, including a commitment to the dedicated National Plan to end violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. Now, the Albanese Government must commit to long-term, sustainable funding for Djirra and the other specialist Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services’ critical legal, non-legal and early intervention and prevention work.

Djirra CEO, Antoinette Braybrook AM, says with a majority government Albanese has the opportunity to make bold and brave decisions to urgently address the national crisis of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.

“Now we can focus on the real work of keeping women and children safe. Actions speak louder than words and Djirra is calling for reform and investment in our self-determined solutions and life saving services and programs. We don’t want to keep fighting for our way to be invested in. It is time for the Albanese government to step up.”

Throughout the five-week election campaign, there was an unacceptable lack of attention given to violence against women, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. Ms Braybrook says, “Our women are the most disproportionately impacted by this issue. Now that the election is over, the lack of visibility must not continue and our voices must be heard.”

“Ending the epidemic of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children must be the top priority. We are 33 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence and 7 times more likely to be murdered than other women – and these numbers barely scratch the surface.

“With over 90% of family and sexual violence against our women going unreported, and the Closing the Gap data on Target 13 being over 7 years old, this situation is far worse than we think. By relying on inaccurate statistics, governments are ignoring the true reality of the nightmare our women face. The message this sends is that our lives and our safety do not matter.

“Genuine and meaningful investment in our data sovereignty is essential. We must be properly resourced – to collect, analyse and evaluate our own data – as this is the key to keeping Aboriginal women’s experiences visible, and a non-negotiable when it comes to our self-determination.”

Ms. Braybrook says while Djirra welcomes the election result and is eager to collaborate with the newly elected Government, we will hold them to account, demanding regular, transparent reporting and genuine progress.

Djirra will continue to advocate fiercely for:

• A Victorian Aboriginal Women’s Centre that offers life-saving services and a place where culture is celebrated and affirmed.
• Increased long-term investment by the Department of Social Services to enable Djirra and other Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services to continue providing culturally safe family violence responses, emergency relief, practical support, and early intervention programs.
• Bi-partisan support for the National Access to Justice Partnership to ensure we can provide essential frontline services for Aboriginal women experiencing family and sexual violence.
• Investment in data sovereignty for Djirra and other Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services, enabling us to collect, monitor and evaluate our own data as a core element of self-determination.
• Funding support to enable Djirra’s expansion across regional Victoria; ensuring no Aboriginal woman must travel more than one hour or 100 kms to access our services for her safety.

For over two decades Djirra has fought to ensure Aboriginal women are seen, heard, counted, and respected. Dedicated to sharing stories and finding solutions, we will not stop until our women are thriving.