Reporting of Family and Domestic violence incidents is rising in Tasmania, so the Liberal Government should be doing everything in its power to strengthen and expand vital behaviour change initiatives, not quietly allowing a tax-payer funded program to sit idle.
News that the federally-funded Respectful Men’s Program, which is run by the Tasmanian Prison Service, has not been running since December due to a staff shortages is seriously concerning.
In 2025, 68 people were enrolled in another program, the Justice Department’s Family Violence Intervention Program, yet only 26 completed it. By comparison, the Sober Driver Programme saw 49 people enrol and 48 complete the course. We have sought a briefing to understand why this program is producing underwhelming results but are yet to hear back from the department.
Why, when we most need these programs for rehabilitation and behaviour change to keep Tasmanian women and children safe, is the state failing to deliver outcomes or failing to deliver programs at all?
Ensuring Tasmania has continually running, accessible programs is fundamental, not optional, in reducing harm and overcoming Family and Domestic violence in the state.
Responding to, and preventing, violence against women and families promptly is key to improving community safety, so ensuring Tasmania has a full workforce in early intervention, prevention and harm reduction services is vital.
We are hearing concerns that if the Liberal Government can’t run programs that are funded by the Federal Government – how will they cope with the forecast fiscal disaster of the looming 2026-27 State Budget?
We call on the Liberal Government to put a full stop on any doubt cast over their response to the family and domestic violence epidemic in Tasmania, and to step up their resourcing to the specialist sector and workforce.
