The two local women spearheading a fight to reunite children with their estranged parents have had their push reignited by the recently-announced federal budget.
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Since 2019, family lawyer Julia Puntoriero and Griffith Centacare regional manager Tracey Febo have been pushing for a dedicated children's contact centre to be built in Griffith.
The centre would allow children separated from one or both of their parents through court orders to meet with them in a safe, supervised environment.
Currently the only contact centre anywhere near Griffith is in Wagga Wagga, where the waiting list can be over a year long.
Early last year, Mrs Puntoriero and Mrs Febo put their detailed business plan for the potential centre before the NSW Families Minister Gareth Ward but were told to wait until the next funding round.
Mrs Puntoriero said these funding announcements had provided a boost to her and Mrs Febo's fight to bring a contact centre to Griffith.
"Either one of those would cover exactly what it is we're trying to do here ... it couldn't fit more perfectly," Mrs Puntoriero said.
"When we saw the results of the budget we almost immedicately re-submitted our business plan and through Helen Dalton's office we wrote to Senator Michaelia Cash and basically said 'we are well aware there is specific funding can you please help'."
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The women haven't heard back yet after reaching out on May 17 but they said the funding is a glimmer of hope for both themselves and the families torn apart by the lack of a contact centre in Griffith.
"We are hopeful but we can only wait and see," Mrs Febo said.
"All the research shows how important it is we get this centre here and hopefully they recognise that."
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