Homelessness and housing-first policy
Senator Hayden welcomes ring-fenced homelessness funding and the housing-first approach, and asks for a debate with the housing Minister early in the new year.
I would like to bring to the Leader's attention that there has been significant growth in the number of homeless people on foot of the disastrous economic situation brought upon us by the previous Government. I congratulate the Government on having ring-fenced the money available, in particular in this budget, for homeless provision and on its adoption of a housing first approach which is focused on homeless prevention. I call on the Leader to invite the Minister of State with responsibility for housing to this House early in the new year to discuss the issue of homelessness and the measures the Government is taking, in particular around housing first, which are focused on prevention of homelessness.