Homelessness

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:57): My question is to the Minister for Human Services regarding homelessness. Minister, after your chief executive tried to close down a street kitchen for the homeless, what message do you have for volunteers and those who use their own time and money to help the homeless, and why isn't the minister's department working with people and organisations that have a demonstrated commitment to helping people who are homeless and hungry?

The PRESIDENT: I will call the minister, but that question was laden with opinion as well and I think members would be wise to review that when they draft their questions.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:57): Thank you, Mr President, and I thank you for your protection. I just repeat that, once again, that question has been framed incorrectly and I would urge all thinking members of the Labor Party who get to ask questions to engage their brains before just accepting whatever tawdry question they get handed to ask in question time.

The Hon. C.M. Scriven: So does the minister admit she is ignorant, befuddled and bewildered?

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: We have not tried to shut down a service.

The Hon. K.J. Maher: What did your chief executive do?

The PRESIDENT: Order! If you listen to the minister you might find out.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: I might make a recording of myself and just keep playing it over and over and over again for the benefit of the honourable members because they clearly aren't taking the hint that they've got the facts in this wrong. In terms of anybody who would like to assist, I don't expect everyone to hang off my every word, but if they are going to ask questions they might refer to the Hansard from yesterday before they ask a question.

I said that for people who are interested in assisting people there are a number of established services that operate that provide support and assistance. Some of them are funded by government; some of them are not funded by government. We encourage people to engage with those services, and there are plenty of opportunities available if anybody wants to assist.