Malcolm Turnbull
Federal Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull, a millionaire lawyer and former investment banker, walks out of a government party room meeting in Canberra's Parliament House February 9, 2015. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott survived a challenge to his leadership after his ruling Liberal Party on Monday voted down an attempt to unseat him after weeks of infighting. A secret party room ballot to declare the positions of party leader and deputy leader vacant was voted down 61 votes to 39, chief party whip Philip Ruddock told reporters. Reuters/Sean Davey

Advocates have welcomed the federal government’s decision to provide financial aid in establishing a specialist legal unit in north-west Tasmania to deal with matters of domestic violence.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Minister for Women Michaelia Cash announced funding AU$15 million to make sure adequate legal assistance is offered to help the victims of domestic violence across the nation. The Government has selected total of 12 regions throughout Australia where legal assistance for domestic violence victims would be provided.

Susan Fahey of Women’s Legal Service embraced the government’s decision and said that north-west Tasmania is one of those regions where domestic violence is most prominent but the cases remain unreported. “There are incidences that people need to escape from on a daily basis,” she said via the ABC , adding, “They just can’t always do that, the services might not be there or they may not know who to call or who can assist them.” Fahey mentioned that only lawful assistance was not enough for the victims, but there was a need for proper facilities like housing, counselling and health care amenities, which required more funding.

In addition to women, Fahey believes this legal unit will also help children to get rid of domestic violence they suffer from. She said that the children are unable to concentrate on their studies and other activities because they are awake all night and remain in hyper-vigilant state in their houses. This mistreatment at home often makes them incapable of handling problem children of their classroom.

The government has been facing lots of criticisms since few months by the groups working for women because of its limited legal funding in the budget, but the Sunday announcement has given hopes to those who suffer domestic exploitation every day. The funding will lead to the establishment of 12 new specialist domestic violence units and the building of four new health justice partnerships.

The government selected the locations for funding domestic violence spot based on the reported cases of family violence to ensure immediate service delivery in those areas.

Besides north-west Tasmania, other locations approved for fund allocation include south-west Sydney, Canberra, north-west Melbourne, Brisbane and Gold Coast area, Elizabeth Alice Springs, Dubbo, Mallee, Kimberley, north-east Perth and Townsville.

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