Federal Treasurer learns about the work of Safe Haven

Earlier this week, our Executive Director Jaeneen Cunningham was invited by the member for Forde, Bert Van Manen to attend a business function at the Beenleigh Sports Club. The guest speaker at this event was the Federal Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg MP. Also in attendance were over 100 business people from the local area.

Jaeneen took this opportunity to ask a detailed and probing question of Mr Frydenberg regarding the direction of current funding and the potential for an organisation like Safe Haven Community to be supported by the Government. Her inquiry was well received by the Treasurer and the audience, with a number of people approaching her to discuss the potential of their support into the future.

This was the day we got the awful news about the murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children, Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey. Jaeneen was seated beside Mr Frydenberg during lunch so she pressed home the work that community groups, like Safe Haven, are doing to help in the area of violence against women.

"Mr Frydenberg was shaken by the tragic news and very emotional about the matter as we spoke", Jaeneen said. "He was very open to speaking to us about funding for our service so we can help many more women. I was very encouraged by what he had to say and was formally invited to follow up with him in more detail"

Safe Haven Community would like to say thank you to Bert Van Manen and his office who have been extremely supportive of our work and ensured the lunch was to our best advantage. Thanks also to Mr Frydenberg for his time. We will keep you posted on our progress as we follow up with him.