Announcement of increased funding for sexual violence support services in next week's Budget, and full ACC funding of counselling for victims of sexual abuse and sexual assault, are welcome progress in this highly sensitive and increasingly pressured area.
Prime Minister John Key used a pre-Budget speech yesterday as another vote-buying exercise in Christchurch, promising $3.5 million to attract about 1000 beneficiaries to move to the city for work.
Despite a large waiting list for counselling at Rape Crisis Dunedin, the service doubts it will get a cent of the millions the Government promised to support sexual violence services.
Tax receipts are still hindering Finance Minister Bill English's quest to return the Government accounts to surplus, although he again issued an assurance yesterday a small surplus was on the way next year.
