Mallee Family Care will be able to provide additional case management services in Dareton and Wentworth, to support Indigenous families experiencing family violence, thanks to a $345,261 grant from the Coalition Government.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said that Mallee Family Care would receive funding to provide case management services through until 30 June 2019.

“Mallee Family Care will work to improve the safety and wellbeing of victims of family violence leading to less need for intensive interventions,” Minister Scullion said.

“Improving the safety of Indigenous families and communities is one of the highest priorities for the Coalition Government – and this investment will enable Mallee Family Care to provide additional support to people who need it the most.”

Minister Scullion said that through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS), the Government was providing targeted investment to those working on the ground to make a difference in the lives of First Australians.

“This project is a great example of the Coalition working with Indigenous Australians to improve outcomes for First Australians living in Dareton and Wentworth,” Minister Scullion said.

In welcoming the funding, Federal Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley, said: “it means when someone from our area needs direct or immediate assistance, it will be available.”

“As well as being tailored to suit local needs, IAS funding is also outcome-based, which means there are checks and balances to ensure money is spent in the right areas and actually working to help the community.”

The Mallee Family Care project is one of 43 recently funded under the IAS. Services have been funded to provide intensive support to Indigenous people most affected in the following areas: alcohol and drugs, domestic violence, mental health and wellbeing, and youth offending.

Existing service providers will share $18,697,510 million in Government funding through until 30 June 2019 to transition from the Indigenous Community Links programme to new place-based, intensive support services that address specific safety and wellbeing needs.

A further $4,239,664 million will be provided until 30 June 2019 for new services in areas where a safety and wellbeing service gap has been identified.

The final year of funding is dependent on the projects providing strong outcomes for their clients.

Providers will be asked to collect service data to assess the impact of the service, to better understand what works to overcome Indigenous disadvantage and contribute to the evidence base.