A Shorten Labor Government will provide practical support to help those who have experienced domestic and family violence leave violent relationships and rebuild their lives.

Labor will deliver around 20,000 Flexible Support Packages over four years, to be funded from Labor’s Banking Fairness Fund at a cost of $60 million.

Financial insecurity is one of the biggest barriers to a woman leaving a violent relationship - something that can persist for years as people try to rebuild their lives.

Each Flexible Support Package will be individually designed to address the barriers women and their children face in getting safe and keeping safe.
 
It is practical assistance at a time survivors of family violence and their children need it most.
 
Domestic and family violence services will be able to work with women to tailor Flexible Support Packages in the way that helps victims most - such as rent, furniture, transport, medication, home security and transport costs.
 
For many women it will mean they can keep seeing the family doctor they know, continue to get to work and keep children in the school they are familiar with.
 
It will also mean survivors can furnish rental accommodation and meet the short-terms costs of continuing study.
 
Flexible Support Packages are a tried and tested initiative, and they work.
 
Flexible Support Packages have been provided in Victoria for several years, with an evaluation finding they have had a transformational benefit for women and children leaving domestic or family violence.
 
All people experiencing family or domestic violence will be eligible to apply for a Flexible Support Package. This includes children in out-of-home care, young people fleeing violence, temporary visa holders, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and LGBTIQ people.

A Shorten Labor Government will ensure family violence survivors across Australia get this kind of support to re-build their lives.