FEDERAL Member for Dunkley Jodie Belyea MP welcomed Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek to Dunkley, highlighting the vital work of local organisations supporting women, men and children and families experiencing family violence.
During her visit, Minister Plibersek visited The Orange Door and Family Life in Frankston to hear directly from frontline workers about the services they provide and the difference they are making for families across the Bayside area.
Family Life delivers the Dads in Focus program in Frankston, working with fathers who use violence to support meaningful and sustained behavioural change.
The program focuses on reducing men’s use of violence, strengthening positive parenting practices and supporting children to therapeutically recover from the impacts of family violence.
“Family violence has devastating impacts on women and children, and we need services that work across the whole family to help break the cycle of violence,” said Belyea.
“Family Life’s Dads in Focus program is an important part of that work. It supports men to take responsibility for their behaviour while helping build safer, healthier relationships between fathers and their children where that is appropriate.”
“This visit was an opportunity to see firsthand the expertise and commitment of local workers who are supporting families through incredibly difficult circumstances.”
“Importantly, this program is focused not only on reducing violence, but on improving outcomes for children and helping them recover from the impacts of family violence.”
First published in the Frankston Times – 25 August 2026