On 16th October Brett Whitely MP announced in Burnie that the Women’s Legal Service Tasmania had been selected to open and operate the DV Unit in the North West of Tasmania which is to be funded under the Turnbull Government’s Women’s Safety Package.

North West Tasmania was selected as one of 12 identified “hot spots” around Australia based on police and other data relating to family violence incidents.

The Unit will be funded at a cost of $350,000 per year for three years.

WLS CEO and Principal Solicitor Susan Fahey said “We are excited to be able to have an on the ground service in the North West of Tasmania. At this stage we believe we will be based in Burnie with regular outreach throughout the whole of the region. Initially we will be employing two solicitors with a view to working closely with other local services to ensure a complete wrap around service is provided.”

WLST hope to have the service open early in 2016.