Local MP Justine Elliot and representatives from the Tweed Valley Women’s Service today handed over a petition with more than 10,000 signatures calling on the NSW State Government to restore funding to the Tweed Valley Women’s Service.

The petition was presented to Jenny Aitchison, Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault who will now lodge it for debate in the NSW State Parliament.

“I launched this petition in January 2016 after the Tweed Valley Women’s Service was forced to close when their contract was suddenly cancelled by their lead agency On Track Community Programs,” Justine said.

“This parliamentary debate is now triggered because more than 10,000 people have signed the petition to restore this funding to the Tweed Valley Women’s Service which has provided counselling, accommodation and support for women and children experiencing domestic violence for more than 30 years.

“The complete inaction by the NSW Government and the North Coast Nationals MPs over the closure of the Tweed Valley Women’s Service is both shameful and irresponsible. We have a domestic violence crisis across this nation and here on the North Coast we have Nationals State MPs Geoff

Provest and Thomas George who have refused to help.

“As both State members have shown they are unwilling and unable to do the job they were elected to do, I launched the petition demanding the NSW Government restore funding to the Tweed Valley Women’s Service, “Justine said.

Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jenny Aitchison said she looks forward to lodging the petition and having this important issue debated in Parliament.”

“We have communities across the state in crisis with ever increasing reports of domestic violence yet the government is just sitting by while organisations like Tweed Valley Women’s Service close down.”

“The increase in the number of women reporting domestic violence must be met with funding increases for support services from the NSW Liberal National Government.”

“It’s crucial that the Berejiklian Government is properly funding the services that people need when they attempt to escape domestic violence.”

“Our new Premier needs to make domestic violence a priority. Comprehensive services for survivors and victims of domestic violence are the most important and most effective form of long term preventative action to stop intergenerational family violence."

“I thank Justine and the local community for the honour of presenting this petition in the NSW Parliament”.

“It’s time we had some accountability over the provision of domestic violence services in NSW.”