THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
SENATOR THE HON MALARNDIRRI MCCARTHY
MINISTER INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS
SENATOR FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
MARION SCRYMGOUR MP
SPECIAL ENVOY FOR REMOTE COMMUNITIES
MEMBER FOR LINGIARI
MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, 5 December 2025
BOLSTERING FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITY SAFETY IN CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
The Albanese Labor Government is investing more than $1.1 million for two new projects in Central Australia to keep communities safe and help prevent violence against women and children.
Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation will receive over $475,000 to support men in prison, exiting prison and undergoing rehabilitation – ensuring there is end to end support for behavioural change.
A dedicated Men’s Engagement Worker will be established, who will help to facilitate meetings and provide individual check-ins with at-risk men to address and be accountable for violent behaviours.
Southern Tanami Kurdiji Indigenous Corporation will receive nearly $700,000 to set up a Day Safety Patrol, which will conduct ongoing safety patrols in the Willowra community.
Twice daily patrols around the school and community will deal with disputes and safety concerns.
Coinciding with the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence, this investment will improve the safety of communities and prevent violence against women and children in Central Australia.
The funding is part of the government’s Strengthening Families and Communities Partnership (SFCP) to deliver community-led, strength-based initiatives with a focus on families and communities across Central Australia, with over $15 million already committed to projects.
The SFCP is part of the Albanese Government’s A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia plan to improve community safety in Central Australia.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek:
“The Albanese Labor Government has invested more than any Government ever – over $4 billion – in keeping women and their children safe.
“We need to end gender-based violence in all its forms, including reducing the high rates of family and domestic violence for First Nations women and children.
“By investing in projects like these we are supporting First Nations led solutions to ensure services create real and lasting change in communities.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
“The Albanese Government is committed to keeping First Nations women and children in remote communities safe from violence.
“Through this investment in community-led projects, we are empowering First Nations people to lead change in their communities.
“Working in partnership with remote communities and First Nations organisations is an important part of our Central Australia Plan.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour MP:
“Our government believes that women and children deserve to feel safe from violence and abuse and this investment in Tangentyere Council and Southern Tanami Kurdiji Indigenous Corporation (STKIC) shows our commitment.
“Men’s behaviour change programs are proven to work in reducing violence and I’m proud that Tangentyere will be able to expand their work in this area.
“STKIC have a long history of delivering community-led night patrols across Central Australia and that’s why this investment is so important as it will allow them to expand their patrols to run during the day in Willowra.”
ENDS
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you need a safe place to yarn, speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au
MensLine Australia Services are available if you are concerned about your wellbeing, relationships, and behaviour on 1300 789 978 or by visiting www.mensline.org.au
