Arabic version: كام تُرجع مخاوف الضحايا إلى «حملة تخويف» بشأن التمويل

According to ABC News, Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Minister Amanda Camm told a budget estimates hearing that a “scare campaign” over frontline service funding had left some victim-survivors frightened to seek support.

Ms Camm said several women had contacted her over the past week, believing services would not be available when needed because of material they had seen on social media and in the media. She said some had told her they were planning their own funerals and taking out life insurance in case they were murdered by their perpetrators.

The minister has faced scrutiny following reports that $40 million was removed from the domestic and family violence prevention budget. The LNP has denied stripping funds from frontline services, saying the budget gap related to the women’s safety and justice taskforce, which it described as time-limited and delivered. Queensland has allocated $340.7 million for domestic and family violence prevention in 2026-27.

During the hearing, Director-General Belinda Drew said $10.569 million had been re-allocated from domestic and family violence services to other family initiatives, including financial counselling, emergency relief and other programs.

Ms Camm also did not provide a clear breakdown of progress on 277 recommendations made by the women’s safety and justice taskforce in reports delivered in 2021 and 2022. Premier David Crisafulli had said on July 19 that the minister would provide an update through the estimates process. Ms Camm said the government wanted to evaluate recommendations rather than simply close them out and tick a box.