The government of South Australia has revealed plans to implement nearly all of the 136 recommendations from the state’s intense royal commission investigating domestic violence.
This initiative will involve an investment of $674 million aimed at addressing and reducing domestic and family violence.
Premier Peter Malinauskas described the funding as “the most significant investment of new resources to confront this issue in the history of our state.”
The funding will be allocated to several key projects, including the creation of a dedicated police unit of 100 officers focusing on domestic violence, under the leadership of an assistant commissioner.
Additionally, a 24/7 support center is set to be established, and the number of public housing units available to victims will be increased twofold.
This major announcement follows two years after a tragic period in South Australia when four women lost their lives to 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.Â
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.
