When the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault announced the Mount Druitt Family Violence Service was once again at risk, the PSA took action.

Recently the PSA met with Minister Jodie Harrison, where she delivered a damning blow with the decision to defund the Mount Druitt Family Violence Service. The justification? Under the commissioning framework for family and domestic violence programs, with current contracts concluding in June 2026, the NSW Government had announced its intention to transition the Mount Druitt Family Violence Service from a government-led model to delivery by non-government organisations effective 1 July 2026.

General Secretary Stewart Little took immediate action and within hours this disastrous decision was reversed.

This is the second time in recent years the union has taken action.

In 2024, the Mount Druitt Family Violence Service, the only government-funded operation of its kind in the state and one which is considered the gold standard of service delivery and provides ‘first contact’ services for victims of family and domestic violence, was so understaffed it was going to close its doors.

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of our PSA members and Delegates who raised the alarm and lobbied the government to take immediate steps to address the staff shortage, this vital family and domestic violence service was saved from closure,” said Mr Little. “Mount Druitt Family Violence Service will now be exempt from the commissioning process and funding decisions that threatened the services’ future. The doors will remain open and services will continue to be delivered by our dedicated DCJ Caseworker members.

“This victory is a testament to the power of solidarity and the importance of standing up for vulnerable members of our society. Family and domestic violence services are not optional: they are lifesaving. And when they’re under threat, we fight back.”

The Mount Druitt Family Violence Service has helped victims escaping violence for 19 years. Staff here have saved thousands of lives.

The actions by the PSA CPSU NSW came just before the union campaigned in the worldwide 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. The PSA CPSU NSW attended a function at the Mount Druitt centre and also posted social media content highlighting the work members do to minimise domestic and family violence.

“It is important for us to be in this space, making our state safer for all,” said General Secretary Stewart Little.