On 11 September 2017, the [Australian] Senate referred the following matter to the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee (committee) for inquiry and report by 14 November 2017. ( The reporting date was subsequently extended to 15 December 2017):

The delivery of National Outcome 4 of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children 2010-2022 (#3608), 'Services meet the needs of women and their children experiencing violence', insofar as that Outcome is given effect by the 1800 RESPECT Domestic and Sexual Violence National Counselling Service ("the service"), with particular reference to:
(a) The adequacy and quality of counselling provided, including:
(i) The funding made available for counselling,
(ii) The counselling model and associated counselling practices,
(iii) The protection of privacy and confidentiality for those who use the
service,
(iv) The efficiency and appropriateness of the triage model adopted in
relation to the service in 2016, and
(v) The infrastructure required for the provision of the service;

(b) The procurement arrangements for the service, including contractual and
tender arrangements;

(c) The engagement of staff and contractors, including:
(i) Their qualifications and working conditions,
(ii) The professional standards and ethical obligations applicable to those
providing the service, and
(iii) The oversight and quality assurance undertaken in relation to those
providing the service;

(d) Evaluation arrangements for the service;

(e) Best practice for domestic and sexual violence counselling; and

(f) Any other related matters. (From the report). Record #6245