Chapter 1

[1]        Journals of the Senate, No. 60—11 September 2017, p. 1933.

[2]        Journals of the Senate No. 68—13 November 2017, p. 2191; Journals of the Senate No.72—27 November 2017, p. 2283; and Journals of the Senate, No 76—p. 2428.

[3]        This section draws upon The Australian Government's National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women - Immediate Government Actions, April 2009, the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010-2022, as well as the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee Report, Domestic Violence in Australia, August 2015, and the submission by the Department of Social Services (Submission 57) to the 2015 inquiry.

[4]        The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022, p. 23.

[5]        Department of Social Services, Schedule — Standard Funding Agreement, 8 July 2010 to 30 November 2014, in camera answer to question on notice, received 16 November 2017.

[6]        Agreement between MHS and RDVSA, dated 31 July 2014, in camera answer to question on notice, received 27 November 2017.

[7]        Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 21.

[8]        Ms Kathryn Mandla, Principal Adviser, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 36.

[9]        Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 21.

[10]      Medibank, Submission 29, pp. 5 and 7.

[11]      Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 17.

[12]      Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 18.

[13]      Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 18.

[14]      Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 19. The trauma specialist triage model was proposed by RDVSA, and operated for the period from April – August 2016. See: RDVSA, Submission 57, pp. 4–5.

[15]      Department of Social Services, Submission 31, pp 11 and 19.

[16]      Medibank, Submission 29, p. 4.

[17]      Ms Karen Willis, Executive Officer, Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 10.

[18]      Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 6.

[19]      Medibank, Submission 29, p. 4.

[20]      Medibank, Submission 29, p. 17; Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 34.

[21]      Medibank, Submission 29, p. 17. RDVSA was a preferred respondent.

[22]      Medibank, Submission 29, p. 5.

[23]      Medibank, Submission 29, p. 4. The not-for-profit panel providers selected to deliver the trauma specialist counselling component of the 1800 RESPECT service in place of RDVSA are safe steps Family Violence Response Centre, Victoria, DVConnect, Queensland and Women's Safety Services South Australia. The Blue Knot Foundation, NSW, has been engaged to deliver training and professional development to trauma specialist counsellors from the panel organisations: see Medibank, Submission 29, pp. 6 and 9–11.

[24]      Medibank, Submission 29, p. 5.

[25]      Medibank, Submission 29, pp 5–6; Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 34. The three organisations are: DV Connect, Queensland; safe steps, Family Violence Response Centre, Victoria; Women's Safety Service, South Australia.

[26]      Medibank, Submission 29, pp. 5–6.

[27]      See: Announcement regarding 1800RESPECT Service, http://www.rape-dvservices.org.au/1800RESPECT, accessed 14 September 2017; Medibank, Submission  29, p.  6. 

Chapter 2 - Governance and accountability issues

[1]        Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, pp. 1–2.

[2]        Medibank, Submission 29, pp. 5 and 7.

[3]        Ms Karen Willis, Executive Officer, Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 10.

[4]        Mr Adair Donaldson, Submission 61, p. 4.

[5]        Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch, Submission 58, p. 16. See also, for example: Women's Health Tasmania, Submission 21, p. 2; Women's March Sydney, Submission 20, pp 3–4; Name withheld, Submission 11, p. 1; The Sydney Feminists, Submission 5, p. 1.

[6]        Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 18.

[7]        Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, p. 38. The National Plan evaluation was undertaken by Social Compass.

[8]        Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, pp. 40–41. See also Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch, Submission 58, p. 31.

[9]        Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, pp. 4–5, 31, 39 and 41.

[10]      Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, p. 39.

[11]      Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, p. 39.

[12]      Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, p. 41.

[13]      Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, p. 41.

[14]      Ms Natalie Lang, Branch Secretary, Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services), Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 1.

[15]      Ms Natalie Lang, Branch Secretary, Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services), Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 1.

[16]      Mr Adair Donaldson, Submission 61, p. 3.

[17]      Medibank, Submission 29, p. 5; Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 6.

[18]      Ms Karen Willis, Executive Officer, Rape and Domestic Services Australia, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 13.

[19]      Ms Karen Willis, Executive Officer, Rape and Domestic Services Australia, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 13.

[20]      Ms Karen Willis, Executive Officer, Rape and Domestic Services Australia, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 12.

[21]      Ms Karen Willis, Executive Officer, Rape and Domestic Services Australia, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 13.

[22]      Ms Karen Willis, Executive Officer, Rape and Domestic Services Australia, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 13.

[23]      Ms Nicole McMahon, General Manager, 1800 RESPECT, Medibank, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 23.

[24]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 35.

[25]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 36.

[26]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 37.

[27]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 38.

[28]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 38.

[29]      See for example, Department of Social Services, answer to questions on notice No. 7 and No. 8, received 24 November 2017

[30]      Ms Nicole McMahon, General Manager, 1800RESPECT, Medibank, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 21.

[31]      Ms Melissa Cranfield, Assistant Secretary, Office for Women, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Proof Hansard, p. 36.

[32]      Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch, Submission 58, Special Appendix, p. 6 of 13.

[33]      Correspondence from Ms Barbara Bennett, Deputy Secretary, Department of Social Services, to the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee, dated 8 December 2017, p. 1, available a response to the ASU submission, Submission  58.  

[34]      Correspondence from Ms Barbara Bennett, Deputy Secretary, Department of Social Services, to the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee, dated 8 December 2017, p. 1, available a response to the ASU submission, Submission  58. 

[35]      Correspondence from Ms Barbara Bennett, Deputy Secretary, Department of Social Services, to the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee, dated 8 December 2017, p. 2, available as a response to the ASU submission,  Submission 58. 

[36]      Correspondence from Ms Barbara Bennett, Deputy Secretary, Department of Social Services, to the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee, dated 8 December 2017, p. 3, available as a response to the ASU submission, Submission 58.

[37]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 44.

[38]      Correspondence from Ms Barbara Bennett, Deputy Secretary, Department of Social Services, to the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee, dated 8 December 2017, p. 4, available as a response to the ASU submission, Submission 58.

[39]      Medibank response to ASU Submission, p. 1, available as a response to the ASU submission, Submission 58.

[40]      Medibank response to ASU Submission, p. 1, available as a response to the ASU submission, Submission  58.

[41]      Medibank response to ASU Submission, p. 5, available as a response to the ASU submission, Submission  58. 

[42]      Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57 pp. 7 and 41–42; Attachment 6, pp 1–2.

[43]      Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, p. 2.

[44]      Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, pp. 7–30.

[45]      Dr Linda Swan, Chief Medical Officer, Medibank, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, pp. 16–20.

[46]      Ms Annette Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer, safe steps Family Violence Response Centre, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 29.

[47]      Ms Diane Mangan, Chief Executive Officer, DV Connect, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 31.

Chapter 3 - Delivery of the 1800 RESPECT service

[1]        Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 34.

[2]        Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, p. 1.

[3]        Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, p. 32.

[4]        Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, p. 33.

[5]        Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 35.

[6]        See for example: Women's Health NSW, Submission 32, p. 2; Dr Ses Salmond, Submission 30, p. 2; Name withheld, Submission  11, p. 1; Name withheld, Submission 12, p. 6; Name withheld; Submission 48, p. 2; Mr Adrian Cooke, Submission 52, p. 1; Domestic Violence NSW, Submission 46, p. 5; Australian Council of  Trade Unions, Submission  38, p. 1.

[7]        For example, see: Dr Ses Salmond, Submission 30, p. 2.

[8]        Name withheld, Submission 54, p. 1. See also: Name withheld, Submission 48, p. 2.

[9]        Name withheld, Submission 11, p. 1; Australian Women's Health Network, Submission 2, p. 3; Leichardt Women's Community Health Centre, Submission 43, p. 2.

[10]      Australian Women's Health Network, Submission 2, pp 2–3. See also: Ms Judith Shepherd-Pemell, Submission 6, p. 1; National Council of Women of South Australia, Submission 9, p. 2.

[11]      See for example: Australian Women's Health Network, Submission 2, p. 2; Name withheld, Submission 12, p. 3.

[12]      See for example: The Hunting Ground Australia Project, Submission 3, p. 5; Domestic Violence NSW, Submission 46, p. 4; Fair Agenda, Submission 34, p. 3; WILMA Women's Health Centre, Submission 22, p. 1; Family Planning NSW, Submission 27, p. 5.

[13]      Ms Marisol Pacheco, Submission 55, p. 1. See also: NSW Women's Alliance, Submission 42; p. 3; Blue Mountains Women's Health and Resource Centre, Submission  37, p. 1; Victorian Women's Trust, Submission 33, p. 3; Dr Ses Salmond, Submission 30, p. 2.

[14]      Ms Natalie Lang, Branch Secretary, Australian Services Union NSW & ACT, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 6.

[15]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 35.

[16]      Ms Nicole McMahon, General Manager, 1800 Respect, Medibank, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 22. See also Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 35.

[17]      Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 6.

[18]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 35.

[19]      Ms Annette Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer, safe steps Family Violence Response Centre, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 30.

[20]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 35.

[21]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 35.

[22]      See for example: Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch, Submission 58, p. 21.

[23]      See for example: Name withheld, Submission 12, pp. 1–6; EROC Australia, Submission 15, pp. 1–3; Victorian Women's Trust, Submission 33, p. 3.

[24]      Mrs Emily Lachever, Trauma Specialist Counsellor, Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 10.

[25]      Ms Karen Willis, Executive Officer, Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 9; Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, p. 43.

[26]      Name withheld. Submission 16, p. 2.

[27]      Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service NSW, Submission 17, p. 3.

[28]      Ms Judith Shepherd-Pemmell, Forensic Psychotherapist, Submission 6, p. 1.

[29]      Ms Justine Cain, Divisional General Manager, Medibank Health, Medibank, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 16; and Ms Nicole McMahon, General Manager, 1800 RESPECT, Medibank, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 23.

[30]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 35.

[31]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 35.

[32]      Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, p. 12; See also: Wagga Women's Health Centre, Submission 50, p. 5.

[33]      Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, p. 12.

[34]      NSW Women's Alliance, Submission 42, p. 4. See also: Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service NSW, Submission 17, p. 3; EROC Australia, Submission 15, pp. 4 and 5.

[35]      Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch, Submission 58, p. 23

[36]      Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, pp. 22 and 48.

[37]      Penrith Women's Health Centre, Submission 4, p. 1. See also: Name withheld, Submission 12, pp. 4 and 6; Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch, Submission 58,pp. 23–24;

[38]      Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 25.

[39]      Ms Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer, safe steps Family Violence Response Centre and Ms Diane Mangan, Chief Executive Officer, DV Connect, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 32.

[40]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, pp. 40–41.

[41]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, pp. 40–41.

[42]      Name withheld, Submission 54, p. 1; see also Wagga Women's Health Centre, Submission 50, p. 3; Announcement regarding 1800RESPECT Service, pp. 5–6, available at: http://www.rape-dvservices.org.au/1800RESPECT, accessed 14 September 2017.

[43]      Ms Annette Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer, safe steps Family Violence Response Centre, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 28.

[44]      Ms Diane Mangan, Chief Executive Officer, DV Connect Queensland, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 29.

[45]      Ending Violence Against Women, Submission 53, p. 1; See also: Australian Women Against Violence Alliance, Submission 40, p. 2.

[46]      Centre Against Sexual Violence, Submission 51, p. 2; See also: Red Rose Foundation, Submission 19, pp. 3–4.

[47]      Ms Annette Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer, safe steps Family Violence Response Centre, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 27.

[48]      Dr Linda Swan, Chief Medical Officer, Medibank, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, pp. 18–19.

[49]      Bankstown Women's Health Centre, Submission 1, p. 1. See also: Ms Judith Shepherd-Pemell, Submission 6, p. 1; Ms Paula Martin, Submission 7, p. 1; National Council of Women of South Australia, Submission  9, p. 2; Women's March Sydney, Submission 20, p. 4; Women's Health Tasmania, Submission 21, p. 3; Ms Marisol Pacheco, Submission 55, p. 2; NSW Women's Alliance, Submission 42, p. 3; Australian Council of Trade Unions, Submission  38, p. 3; Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch, Submission 58, p. 31.

[50]      Dr Ses Salmond, Submission 30, p. 4.

[51]      Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch, Submission 58, p. 31. See also, Dr Ses Salmond, Submission 30, p. 3.

[52]      Ms Natalie Lang, Branch Secretary, Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services), Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, pp. 3–4. See also: Women's Health NSW, Submission 32, p. 4.

[53]      Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, p. 4.

[54]      Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 5, p. 42.

[55]      Wagga Women's Health Centre, Submission 50, p. 4. See also Women's Legal Service NSW, Submission 14, p. 2–3; Fair Agenda, Submission 34, p. 1; and Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, Submission 10, p. 3.

[56]      Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, Submission 10, p. 3.

[57]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group. Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 36.

[58]      Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch, Submission 58, p. 24. See also: NSW Women's Alliance, Submission 42, p. 1.

[59]      Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch, Submission 58, p. 24. See also: Leichardt Women's Community Health Centre, Submission 43, p. 2.

[60]      Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service NSW, Submission 17, p. 1.

[61]      Australian Services Union NSW & ACT (Services) Branch, Submission 58, p. 24. See also: Leichardt Women's Community Health Centre, Submission 43, p. 2.

[62]      Name withheld, Submission 12, pp. 2–3.

[63]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 40.

[64]      Red Rose Foundation, Submission 19, p. 1.

[65]      Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, Submission  10, p. 3.

[66]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 36.

[67]      Australian Psychological Society, Submission 56, p. 5. See also, Illawarra Forum, Submission 24, p. 2;

[68]      Australian Psychological Society, Submission 56, p. 5. See also: Women's Health Tasmania, Submission 21, p. 2.

[69]      Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, Submission 10, p. 3.

[70]      Red Rose Foundation, Submission 19, p. 2. See also: Centre Against Sexual Violence, Submission 51, pp. 1–2.

[71]      DV Connect, Queensland, Submission 47, p. 4.

[72]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 36.

[73]      Medibank, Submission 29, p. 12.

[74]      Bankstown Women's Health Centre, Submission 1, p. 1. See also: The Australian Women's Health Network, Submission 2, p. 2; National Council of Women of South Australia, Submission 9, p. 2; Name withheld, Submission 11, p. 1; Name withheld, Submission 12, pp. 2–3; Wagga Women, 50, p. 4; See also: Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service NSW, Submission  17, p. 2.

[75]      National Council of Women of South Australia, Submission 9, p. 2; See also: WILMA Women's Health, Submission  22, p. 1; Women's Health Centre, Submission 28, p. 1; Victorian Women's Trust, Submission  33, p. 2; Women's March, Sydney, Submission 20, p. 3; Red Rose Foundation, Submission 19, p. 1.

[76]      See: Announcement regarding 1800RESPECT Service, p. 1, available at: http://www.rape-dvservices.org.au/1800RESPECT, accessed 14 September 2017.

[77]      Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, Submission 57, pp. 4 and 29.

[78]      Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence, Submission 36, p. 3.

[79]      DV Connect Queensland, Submission 47, p. 4.

[80]      Ms Annette Gillespie, safe steps Family Violence Response Centre, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 28.

[81]      NSW Women's Alliance, Submission 42, p. 2. See also: Fair Agenda, Submission 34, p. 1.

[82]      Women's Health NSW, Submission 32, p. 5.

[83]      End Rape on Campus Australia, Submission 15, p. 3.

[84]      Ms Nicole McMahon, General Manager, 1800RESPECT, Medibank, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 26; See also: Ms Justine Cain, Divisional General Manager, Medibank Health, Medibank, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 26.

[85]      Women's Legal Service Queensland, Submission 49, p. 3.

[86]      Dr Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Department of Social Services, Proof Hansard, 8 November 2017, p. 36.

[87]      Medibank, Answer to a question on notice, pp. 12–13, received 15 November 2017.

Additional comments from Government Senators

[1]        Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 23.

[2]        Department of Social Services, Submission 31, p. 23.

[3]        Department of Social Services, response to ASU submission, Submission 58, pp 2-3 and Medibank response to ASU submission, Submission 58, p. 6.

[4]        Medibank provided the committee with a copy of the 1800 RESPECT Service Delivery Manual as a confidential document.

[5]        As noted in the majority report the funding agreements and subcontracts have been provided as confidential documents.