The Liberal-Nationals Coalition has made a $260,000 pre-election promise to Jobs Australia for a second crisis accommodation facility.

The funding would allow for a new two-bedroom cottage to be built for women fleeing domestic violence. This would be on the site of Jobs Australia’s current crisis accommodation, Allawah Cottage.

The Nationals candidate for Parkes Jamie Chaffey and Shadow Minister for Regional Education, Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Shadow Minister for Local Government and Territories Darren Chester were in Gunnedah on Monday to make the announcement. It comes ahead of the year’s federal election on May 3.

“We’ll see that money come out quite quickly and very soon after we’ll see another house that’ll be put [on] location to provide this service,” Mr Chaffey said.

He said the community has heard a lot about crime and specifically youth crime but not enough about domestic violence.

“What I’m hearing consistently is that the cost of living crisis is really hurting families,” Mr Chaffey said.

“Substance abuse is up. People are getting quite desperate and unfortunately we’re seeing more domestic violence.”

The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) states that 2024 data found higher per-capita rates of assault in remote and regional areas in NSW.

“A federal Coalition government will be supporting local government and with the [Gunnedah Shire Council mayor Colleen Fuller’s support], as well as fundraising from the Gunnedah community, … we can duplicate [Allawah Cottage],” Mr Chaffey said.

He said the original cottage used funding from the former Coalition government and donations from the community for it to be built.

Also joining the announcement was Jobs Australia social enterprises development coordinator Tracey Reid, who manages Allawah Cottage.

Jobs Australia would also contribute $50,000 for the project.

Ms Reid said the Allawah has helped more than 120 women since its opening three years ago but the number of people needing help is still substantial.

“We have a wait list all the time,” Ms Reid said.

“At the moment we’ve got four [people waiting] but we have had up to eight to 10.

“If we get the second cottage, we can support a lot more.”

She said they also assist the victims in re-establishing, finding support networks and finding a new home.

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