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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-05-12 Daily Xml
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HOMELESSNESS

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (14:40): Can the Minister for Housing update the house on initiatives to help reduce homelessness in South Australia?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (14:40): Reducing homelessness has been a priority of the Rann government since we came to office in 2002. Just a little over a week ago South Australia received high praise indeed from the federal Minister for Housing, Tania Plibersek, who was quoted as saying, 'South Australia is nation-leading, with cutting-edge reforms.'

One cannot underestimate the importance of having a federal government that is also committed to addressing this important issue. I am very happy to be able to provide the house today with information on new homelessness initiatives in South Australia. Our partnership agreement on homelessness, with the federal government, is delivering nearly $60 million towards initiatives that will significantly improve the lives of some of our most vulnerable people. This $60 million is in addition to $22 million already committed for A Place to Call Home.

We have been working hard to ensure that this funding delivers services on the ground to people as quickly as possible. Six hundred of the economic stimulus properties are being built specifically for people experiencing homelessness, including young people and women with children escaping domestic violence. I am particularly pleased to be talking about the economic stimulus money today, following the comments by the opposition leader in the house yesterday. The Leader of the Opposition made, to use her own words, 'an outrageous misstatement of true facts' in attacking the government for wasting commonwealth money in—

Mr PENGILLY: Point of order. I refer again to standing order No. 98, which provides that the minister or member replies to the substance of the question and may not debate the matter. The minister is clearly debating the matter.

The SPEAKER: I do not think there is a point of order. I think the minister is responding to the question.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: The truth is that South Australia is leading the way in our innovative delivery of 1,350 social houses, and we have specifically targeted these homes for homelessness, victims of domestic violence, mental health clients and young children—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: —exiting state care. We are absolutely on track in delivering those houses, absolutely on track—

Ms Chapman: What a joke.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: It just goes to show how little you know.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for Bragg and the member for Finniss!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: You ask Lynn Arnold. I am happy to advise the leader that construction is well underway, with interim service arrangements already operational for 150 of the 600 homes set aside for homelessness. Tenants are moving in and being supported as houses are being completed. In the area of homelessness, $4.27 million in packages will be allocated each year to ensure that vulnerable people allocated the homes receive the assistance they need for long-term success.

A new homelessness response team is fully operational in partnership with the Crisis Response Unit. The sum of $500,000 per annum is being provided for after-hours assessment, referral and response services. This will ensure that rough sleepers are assisted at any hour of the day or night. Four full-time social workers with expertise in homelessness will be working to ensure a thorough service is provided to homelessness clients. This project is also going to expand the emergency outreach available to support women and children escaping domestic violence.

We know that rough sleeping is not just confined to the inner city, and we have also turned our attention to regional South Australia. Based on the successful Street to Home model, a brand-new regional assertive outreach program is providing $70,000 each year to fighting chronic homelessness in Ceduna and the Riverland. Rough sleepers in these areas are already receiving individual case management and are being provided with pathways out of homelessness as well as links into housing and ongoing support.

The Black Diamond Ladder Project is an innovative new model for young people at risk, focusing on connecting young people with training, education and employment, and it is supported by AFL mentors through the AFL's ladder program. The 23 units will be located at the iconic Black Diamond Hotel in Port Adelaide, and refurbishment is well underway and due for completion in November this year.

A range of other projects aimed at addressing homelessness are on track, and many will be operational within the coming months. Examples include a child focus support program providing $500,000 a year for individual and group supports, for children accompanying adults in the homelessness sector; a schools assertive outreach program aimed at young people between the ages of 12 and 16; and an Aboriginal youth early intervention program will provide early intervention for Aboriginal young people.

Projects that will be operational later in the year include: a program that will fund safety and security measures in family homes to allow women to remain in their own homes; unique to South Australia, a new program aimed at perpetrators that will provide early intervention and prevention strategies to break the cycle of violence and repeat domestic violence; and the safe road home program will provide accommodation in the northern suburbs as safe, short-term accommodation for women and children, as well as outreach services when they return to their home.

In partnership with the federal government, we are making significant progress in reducing homelessness in our state and ensuring that our most vulnerable are provided with the best services available.

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