STEPHEN JONES MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT TREASURER
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES AND SUPERANNUATION
MEMBER FOR WHITLAM
 
SENATOR JENNY MCALLISTER
SHADOW CABINET SECRETARY
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE LABOR LEADER IN THE SENATE
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMMUNITIES AND THE PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
SENATOR FOR NEW SOUTH WALES

After three years of ignoring women and their advocates, the Government has ditched its dangerous early access to super scheme for domestic violence victims. 

The plan exposes women escaping violence to long-term financial hardship and creates an opportunity for perpetrators to extort money from their victims.

Minister Payne confirmed the move during Senate Estimates, claiming the decision to dump policy is in response to the feedback received from key stakeholders and community groups.

These same stakeholders criticised the idea when it was first announced as part of the 2018 Women’s Economic Security Statement. 

It has taken the Government three years to realise that women shouldn’t have to choose between leaving a violent relationship and security in retirement. 

It is clear the Government rushed this idea out last week as a political fix.

It knows the women of Australia are angry and it’s done little to improve their economic security or safety for eight years.

Instead of listening to women and responding with a proper, well considered plan the Prime Minister reached for a political solution without thinking through the consequences for at-risk women.

The time has come for the Morrison Government to join with Labor and commit to delivering paid domestic violence leave for women fleeing abuse and properly fund housing and support service for women and children fleeing violence. 

Attributable to Jenny McAllister, Shadow Assistant Minister for Communities and the Prevention of Violence Against Women:

“Faced with a call for action, the Government decided to re-announce a policy they had already committed to in 2018 but done absolutely nothing about for the last three years. 

Within the course of seven days the Government reheated an old policy, announced it was back under review, and then dumped it after pressure from stakeholders. There are species of flies with longer lifecycles.

Next time the Government should try to come up with a way to help women leaving violent relationships that doesn’t require them to jeopardise their financial security in retirement.”