$8m package announced

Attorney General Michael Mischin has announced an $8.5 million funding package to help victims of crime and reduce the number of people driving unlicensed in the Kimberley.

Mr Mischin said $3 million would be spent on providing family violence counselling in the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley and Halls Creek, while $5.5 million would be spent to help indigenous people in custody obtain and keep a driver’s licence.

“One of the program’s priorities is reducing family and domestic violence, which accounts for a significant amount of the violent crime occurring in WA but which is often under-reported,” Mr Mischin said. “The AJP will focus its efforts on identified areas that have a high incidence of family and domestic violence in the Derby-West Kimberley and Halls Creek region. “Aboriginal people living in regional and remote areas often face huge difficulties in obtaining and retaining a driver’s licence and are therefore more likely to drive unlicensed,” he said. Mr Mischin said once referred by agencies, including the Department of Corrective Services and local police, Aboriginal people in the target areas would be able to access free driver training.