New Coordinator-General for Family Safety


Released 31/10/2016

Jo Wood has been appointed as the Coordinator-General for Family Safety.

Ms Wood brings significant experience from senior executive roles in the Australian Public Service. Over the past 17 years her work has focused on indigenous and gender issues, including Closing the Gap, women’s workforce participation, migration and employment.

Ms Woods has a Masters in Public Policy and Bachelor of Science. In 2012, Ms Wood participated in the Australia and New Zealand School of Government Executive Fellows Program.

Ms Wood has also worked closely with the private sector and other service providers to deliver essential reform and organisational change, which will be invaluable in her new role.

“I’m looking forward to meeting with local advocacy groups and service providers, and working with the ACT Government to create a safer Canberra,” Ms Wood said.

“The ACT Government is investing and taking steps to address family safety, and I want to build on that commitment to the community.

“Frontline service providers are working hard each day to respond to family violence and to help those who have experienced this violence.

Forms of family violence, including domestic violence, elder abuse, intimate partner violence and sexual violence happen in all cities, towns and rural communities across the nation. Family violence is a widespread social problem that affects our entire society and does not discriminate on the basis of age, income levels, educational levels, or culture.

“Together, I hope we can provide the right services for Canberrans to meet their needs and identify the very earliest of warning signs to prevent family violence from occurring wherever possible,” Ms Wood said.

Ms Wood travelled to Brisbane last week for the Council of Australian Governments National Summit on Reducing Violence against Women as part of the ACT delegation.

The Office of the Coordinator-General for Family Safety is based within the Justice and Community Safety Directorate. The Justice and Community Safety Directorate would like to thank David Matthews who has been acting in the role since June.

- Statement ends -

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