Homelessness

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (14:46): My question is to the Minister for Social Housing. How is the state government supporting the homelessness sector?

The SPEAKER: It would be nice if the government supported the homeless, rather than the sector. Minister.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:46): I thank the member for Torrens for her question. The recent 2016 federal budget did not identify funding for the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness beyond the current term to 30 June 2017. While this outcome was expected, it certainly should not be accepted.

At a meeting in March 2016, commonwealth, state and territory housing and homelessness ministers discussed developing proposals outlining a sustainable and long-term funding position to continue to deliver a strong specialist homelessness system well into the future. At this meeting, ministers agreed to commission a report on policy reforms and funding options for homelessness beyond July 2017. The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute has been engaged to undertake this in consultation with representatives from across the sector and government.

In the next six months, my department will develop a partnering approach to create additional opportunities for consultation with the South Australian government's Homelessness Strategic Group, as we work towards developing South Australia's service reform priorities. I have recently written to Professor Andrew Beer, in his capacity of chair of the South Australian government's Homelessness Strategic Group, regarding this important work.

In October of this year, the commonwealth, state and territory housing and homelessness ministers will again meet to consider the institute's report and work together to develop proposals about future homelessness policy and funding. The aim of this meeting will be to advocate for a clear position, to be reached by December 2016, so that the commonwealth Minister for Social Services can report back to the Council of Australian Governments with recommendations on future national partnership agreement funding by the end of this year.

The short-term funding cycles of the past three national partnership agreements have resulted in uncertainty for the community, service providers and the government, and I have been a strong advocate for ensuring a longer term funding approach for homelessness. Further, if this long-term funding cannot be secured, more than 230 jobs for the South Australian specialist homelessness services sector would be placed at risk. I would like to assure the house that I am working very hard with my ministerial colleagues across the country to negotiate further funding for the continuation of this critical program.