10 April 2025
NTCOSS supports fair and sustainable Portable Long Service Leave for the Northern Territory community sector
The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) acknowledges the dissolution of the NT Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence (DFSV) Advisory Forum and thanks the individuals and organisations who have contributed their time and expertise over the past decade.
While there is understandable disappointment, NTCOSS recognises the Forum’s positive impact and the strong collaboration it fostered between government and the specialist DFSV sector. It played a vital role in strengthening operational cooperation, applying a consistent DFSV lens across government coordination, and ensuring frontline voices informed decision-making.
The NFP sector are essential partners in the NT government’s delivery of DFSV responses and prevention, and as such, are keen to see consultation continue in formats that strengthen partnerships and improve outcomes. Maintaining clear pathways for service providers to guide cross-agency collaboration is key to ensuring all government agencies play an active role in preventing violence. The sector remains eager to continue this work to support a coordinated, prevention-focused response.
Keeping people who use violence — and its prevention — at the centre of action is essential for lasting change. Ongoing engagement with the sector ensures the inclusion of not just a crisis response but to include prevention, early intervention, accountability, and behaviour change.
Prevention must remain a shared responsibility across government agencies. By engaging with those who use violence through evidence-based approaches, we can move from managing harm to preventing it — a strategy that must guide the Territory’s future efforts.
The specialist DFSV sector is committed to continued, direct engagement with the NT Government. NTCOSS thanks all Forum participants and stands ready to continue this vital work in partnership with government and the community.
“Collaboration has real power – and real results.
Our message is simple: let’s not lose the momentum. Let’s build on what we’ve learned through the Forum and find new ways to keep cooperation and shared responsibility alive.
Together, we can continue to drive the change our communities deserve.”
Sally Sievers, NTCOSS CEO
Contact: Morgan Rickard 0491 811 233 media-sectorsupport@ntcoss.org.au