Aspire Program

The Hon. S.L. GAME (14:54): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries, representing the Minister for Human Services, about the Aspire program.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.L. GAME: The Hutt St Centre runs Aspire, an amazing program fighting homelessness that has successfully secured housing for 81 per cent of its 575 clients since it began in 2017. However, it faces an uncertain future because the state government is yet to give assurance that it will keep funding the program. This is despite Treasury's own calculations estimating that it had saved almost $13 million in avoiding hospitalisations, correctional services stays and emergency accommodation over the past six years.

With ongoing uncertainty the Hutt St Centre fears losing its outstanding social workers, who have no guarantee that their annual contracts will be renewed in June. Official figures calculated by Treasury and Deloitte indicate that the program saved the government almost $33 million, comprising $14.6 million in reduced hospital stays and criminal procedures and another $18.1 million in future services. My questions to the minister are:

1. Will the government commit the $15 million needed to keep the program running for the next seven years?

2. How will the government cover the estimated $35 million return over seven years on this investment if it does not commit the $15 million in funding?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:56): I thank the honourable member for her question. I am happy to refer it to the Minister for Human Services in the other place and bring back a response.