HOMELESSNESS

Mr O'BRIEN (Napier) (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Housing. What is the government doing for young people at risk of homelessness?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Northern Suburbs, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (14:45): I thank the member for Napier for his question. I know he has had a very long-term and keen interest in young people and homelessness initiatives. The vision of our Premier since coming to government was to set in place a number of initiatives to address the homelessness issue. In fact, he put homelessness on the political agenda, whereas previously it had not received any attention at all.

This morning I was delighted to go to Port Adelaide, where I was joined by the Hon. Tanya Plibersek, the federal Minister for Housing; Mark Butler, the federal member for Port Adelaide; Monsignor David Cappo, the Commissioner for Social Inclusion; Brendan Gale, the Chief Executive Officer of the AFL Players' Association; and Gary Johanson, Mayor of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, to launch the Ladder Foyer project. Based on an exciting model in both France and the UK, not only does Ladder Foyer provide housing for young people who are at risk or vulnerable, but also it provides the required supports and opportunities to ensure that these young people succeed in their lives.

The federal and state governments are engaging in a partnership with the AFL and the AFL Players' Association to provide employment, training and personal development opportunities for young people. The provision of safe and secure housing is critical to stabilising these young lives, giving these young people hope and a direction. For some time now, the commonwealth and South Australian governments have been committed to addressing homelessness. We have been exploring new and innovative ways to reduce homelessness in our community.

In May this year the Premier first announced the development of a Foyer accommodation service for young homeless people in South Australia, one of the first projects to be funded through the commonwealth government's A Place to Call Home initiative, worth $150 million. This morning we saw a progression of this commitment as we launched the first Ladder Foyer project at the Central Buildings on Black Diamond Corner in Port Adelaide. The redevelopment of this old building will provide 23 self-contained units and common areas for young men and women. When it opens late next year, there will be 24-hour, seven-day-a-week supervision and support for these young people. Pleasingly, also, it will bring to life this iconic building in the heart of Port Adelaide. The Port Adelaide community has a history of helping and supporting its own, and it was pleasing this morning to hear stories of local enthusiasm about this project.

This government has a proud and strong record regarding social inclusion and homelessness. As I said, it was our Premier who put homelessness on the political agenda, and he has been aided by the wonderful work of Monsignor Cappo. We have seen some remarkable results. During our time in government, South Australia has been able to reduce the number of rough sleepers, while numbers around Australia have increased. We have already seen the heart-warming results of our first Common Ground project in Franklin Street.

At the sixth National Homelessness Conference held here in South Australia in May, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd stated that 'the way we as a nation respond to homelessness is a window into the heart of our community'. At Port Adelaide this morning, I think we all felt a great sense of hope and heart for the future.