MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:14:19): Today I wish to update the house on a valuable education initiative that highlights the unique and important role played by Learn Locals.
The financial literacy for women affected by family violence initiative is jointly run by the Department of Education and Training and the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
It was developed in response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence, which recommended that there be an increase in financial literacy training for victims and survivors.
Learn Locals are well-placed to deliver financial literacy courses to victim survivors of family violence. Learn Locals are community owned and managed training organisations, have existing relationships with agencies that deliver related services and have experience delivering in integrated programs that maximise impact on those who most need support.
Since February 2019, 59 staff and 32 Learn Local organisations have been trained to deliver the financial literacy course for victim survivors of family violence. These train-the-trainer workshops were led by the Women’s Information and Referral Exchange.
Phase 2 of the program started this month with the Adult, Community and Further Education Board funding the trainers to deliver the financial wellbeing course in their communities across Victoria. This course essentially supports vulnerable women to manage their money and build their confidence and thereby enhance their immediate and long-term wellbeing.
Learn Locals delivering this course are focusing on engaging disadvantaged women in metropolitan, regional and rural settings who have experienced or are experiencing family violence; single mothers and women experiencing or at risk of homelessness; Indigenous women; and those from culturally diverse backgrounds, including recently settled migrant and refugee women.
In addition to supporting women in these situations to regain control over their finances, this course assists them to reshape their future relationships, explore further study and job opportunities and provide increased security and a better future for their children.
Members interjecting. The PRESIDENT: Order! The previous President made a ruling about members statements and it being okay to read because— A member: It’s not a members statement. The PRESIDENT: It is actually a statement. It is a ministers statement. It is actually a statement with limited time, and the rationale for the President making that ruling about it being okay for members to read members statements is because of the limited time afforded to them.
