WOMEN'S support services have expressed cautious optimism at the Premier's announcement to target domestic violence. Alina Thomas, of SHE - a Tasmanian organisation providing support to family violence victims - said Will Hodgman's stand would send a powerful message, however, she hoped services like hers would be consulted in the process. Ms Thomas said she had not been aware before Mr Hodgman's announcement to develop "an action plan for government" to reduce domestic violence. Mr Hodgman announced the plan, which includes additional funding in this week's budget, at a White Ribbon breakfast in Hobart on Monday. "There can be no greater demonstration of the priority this issue is having under my government, than for me to lead a whole of government response," he said. "It is an appalling social ill that we are dealing with and we want to make sure our responses are best targeted as it can be with the resources available." Mr Hodgman said support services would be consulted on the plan, to be delivered in August. It's unclear how the plan will sit with the state's existing domestic violence policy Safe at Home, itself subject to a review which the government refuses to release. Safe at Home is already described as a "whole of government" strategy encompassing Tasmania Police, the Justice Department, the courts and other agencies. Women's Legal Centre Tasmania chief executive Susan Fahey said she hoped the Premier's plan wouldn't be another bureaucratic exercise. "If they want actual outcomes they have to talk with the people who are dealing with the victims," she said. Mr Hodgman's announcements comes a week after Police Commissioner Darren Hine called the state's domestic violence figures "horrific".
WOMEN'S support services have expressed cautious optimism at the Premier's announcement to target domestic violence.
Alina Thomas, of SHE - a Tasmanian organisation providing support to family violence victims - said Will Hodgman's stand would send a powerful message, however, she hoped services like hers would be consulted in the process.
Ms Thomas said she had not been aware before Mr Hodgman's announcement to develop "an action plan for government" to reduce domestic violence.
Mr Hodgman announced the plan, which includes additional funding in this week's budget, at a White Ribbon breakfast in Hobart on Monday.
"There can be no greater demonstration of the priority this issue is having under my government, than for me to lead a whole of government response," he said.
"It is an appalling social ill that we are dealing with and we want to make sure our responses are best targeted as it can be with the resources available."
Mr Hodgman said support services would be consulted on the plan, to be delivered in August.
It's unclear how the plan will sit with the state's existing domestic violence policy Safe at Home, itself subject to a review which the government refuses to release.
Safe at Home is already described as a "whole of government" strategy encompassing Tasmania Police, the Justice Department, the courts and other agencies.
Women's Legal Centre Tasmania chief executive Susan Fahey said she hoped the Premier's plan wouldn't be another bureaucratic exercise.
"If they want actual outcomes they have to talk with the people who are dealing with the victims," she said.
Mr Hodgman's announcements comes a week after Police Commissioner Darren Hine called the state's domestic violence figures "horrific".
