Ministerial Statement

Homeless Funding Arrangements

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) (14:01): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: The current National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA) nationally provides almost $1.5 billion, of which $94 million is directed to South Australia for a wide range of essential housing and homelessness services. It should come as no surprise that the state government is extremely concerned by reports in The Australian newspaper last Friday that the commonwealth government is considering walking away from the NAHA.

More than two-thirds of all homelessness funding in South Australia comes from the NAHA. Any change to this agreement places at risk South Australia's specialist homelessness services system. This system responds to homelessness all year round, provides domestic and family violence services right across our state and is the same system that provides additional services during times of extreme weather.

The sector includes 40 providers who coordinate 75 programs across the state, including three telephone gateway services. This decision has the potential to affect 22,000 clients per year and some 800 staff that these services employ. As an example, we provide $8.8 million of funding for agencies such as Hutt Street, Catherine House and Uniting Communities to provide essential homelessness services to rough sleepers and other people at risk of homelessness in the inner city. Another example is the Murray Mallee region, where we provide almost $1.6 million in funding for homelessness services.

This funding is utilised to provide services including crisis accommodation, outreach programs and support for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence. Cuts to this critical system would lead to a substantial increase in demand for services. Other activities supported by the NAHA funding include private rental assistance programs, public housing services, regulation and oversight of community housing providers, Indigenous housing and affordable housing.

I am also concerned about the future of the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) and the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing (NPARIH), which conclude on 30 June 2018. I urge all members to join with the government in sending a message to Canberra. We need to tell them that there are real people in South Australia who are impacted by their decisions.

Mr Pisoni: Another $750,000?

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is called to order.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: Our most vulnerable communities need their support, not be abandoned.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is called to order.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The leader is called to order.