Australian state commits 1.4 bln U.S. dollars to prevent family violence

The Victorian Government of Australia has committed 1.4 billion U.S. dollars to prevent domestic violence in the state's budget handed down on Tuesday.

The unprecedented funding will go towards implementing all 227 recommendations of the 2016 Family Violence Royal Commission.

Of the 1.4 billion, 337 million dollars will be spent to establish 17 support and safety hubs across the state, 203 million dollars will go towards victim assistance and a family violence court will be established at a cost of 202 million dollars.

The domestic violence prevention plan, which headlined Tuesday's state budget, will be largely paid for by 970 million dollars in funding cut from the public sector over the next four years.

"It is more money directed in this budget to family violence than all of the budgets of all of the states and territories and commonwealth combined," Tim Pallas, Victoria's treasurer, told reporters on Tuesday.

"This government won't turn its back on these people, these women and children," he said.

Pallas was unable to specify where the cuts to public service would be made, but said that frontline services would not be affected.

The government also committed 970 million dollars for schools, with a vast majority of that going towards building new school and acquiring land for others while the rest will be spent on upgrades where necessary.

Young children will also benefit with 152 million dollars to be spent on improving early childhood education. Endite