The Andrews Labor Government is continuing to invest in one of Victoria’s most important and historic buildings – the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre.

A $1.2 million funding boost from the Victorian Budget 2018/19 will support urgent and necessary works to the iconic building on Lonsdale Street.

Now known as the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, it was first built in 1848 as the original Melbourne Hospital. From 1946 it operated as the Queen Victoria Hospital, one of three hospitals in the world founded, managed and staffed by women.

Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence Natalie Hutchins made the announcement today while visiting the building, as part of the launch of Gender Equity Victoria (GEN VIC).

Formerly the Women’s Health Association of Victoria, GEN VIC will advocate, influence and work across the sector to promote gender equality, women’s health, and the prevention of violence against women.

The investment builds on the Labor Government’s existing work to address gender inequality, including:

• Investing a record $1.9 billion to stop the scourge of family violence, the large investment by any Australian Government in history
• Implementing 20 day of paid family violence leave in the Victorian Public Service
• Establishing Victoria’s most comprehensive blueprint for women’s equality, Safe and Strong: A Victorian Gender Strategy
• Identifying the Public Sector Gender Pay Gap and implementing policies to address it.

For information on Free from violence: Victoria’s strategy to prevent family violence and all forms of violence against women visit vic.gov.au/familyviolence/prevention-strategy

Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins

“We have a proud record on gender equality and today’s announcement builds on our work.”“This is a space for women, by women. With this investment, we’ll safeguard the future of this iconic building and make sure its many resident organisations have the home they deserve.”