SOUTH Australian Labor has labelled Attorney-General Vickie Chapman’s pledge to increase funding to the state’s Commissioner for Victims’ rights to deliver victim support services as a “band-aid” which will result in service gaps for regional residents.
Last week, the State Government announced the long-running Victim Support Service would be defunded, resulting in the closure of seven regional offices including in Mount Gambier.
From July 1, the $2.3m awarded annually to the service will reduce to $2.4m over three years under a new provider, which will provide therapeutic counselling to victims.
Victim Support Service programs – including the Court Companion Service and face-to-face help with victim compensation payments and complete victim impact statements – will end.
Labor parliamentarian Clare Scriven raised concerns about the provision of therapeutic counselling services in the interim with the new provider expecting an office to be established in Mount Gambier by the end of the year.
“We have been told the new provider is expected to open offices in Mount Gambier and Port Augusta by the end of the year,” she said.
“Note that it is expected – not required, not mandated, but merely expected.
“This leaves a six-month gap for those areas.”
Despite initially claiming the changes stemmed from a duplication in services, yesterday Ms Chapman announced $250,000 a year in ongoing funding for the commissioner’s office to act as a central point of contact for victims seeking help.
Ms Scriven said the recurrent funding would not replace Victim Support Service programs or the expert advice provided to victims.
“Victims in regional areas are particularly hard hit and will now have to travel hundreds of kilometres for face-to-face counselling and advice,” she said.
“Some will miss out entirely.
“The Court Companion program sees volunteers who have experienced crime themselves accompany victims throughout long and traumatic court hearings.
“Unfortunately, the commissioner and her staff will not be able to replicate that vital service.”
In a statement, Ms Chapman said the funding would enable the commissioner to ensure victims, particularly those in regional South Australia, have adequate support to prepare victim impact statements.
Ms Chapman said making the commissioner’s office a central coordination point for victims – with counselling to be offered through Relationships Australia South Australia – would ensure victims have easier access to services.
When questioned in Parliament, Ms Chapman said the commissioner was working with SA Police “particularly on victim impact statements in regional areas”.
