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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-05-09 Daily Xml
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Hutt St Centre

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (14:54): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Human Services.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: The Hutt St Centre provides essential services and support to some of the most marginalised people in our community. In recent times, the centre has come under some heavy scrutiny due to some antisocial behaviour that, it is alleged, is caused by some of its clients. Why has the minister failed to speak up in support of this centre and the incredibly valuable services that it provides?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:54): I thank the honourable member for her question. I am not sure whether the imputation that I have failed to speak up on behalf of the centre is correct at all, or whether it's even parliamentary, because that just isn't the case. There has been a lot of conjecture about the Hutt St Centre from a lot of different stakeholders, and some of it is quite inflated. In these situations, there is usually some truth to some parts of it. My personal view is the Hutt St Centre has been unfairly targeted as the cause of all the problems that have been taking place in that precinct.

My understanding, from talking to the Hutt St Centre and other stakeholders, is that there is a range of cohorts in that district, some of whom are associated with the Hutt St Centre and some of whom clearly aren't. Getting to the nub of the issue is part of the problem. Certainly, the police have stated quite clearly, regarding the issues in that corner of Adelaide, that they do not have an increase in reported crimes, but having certainly listened to a lot of people, they are concerned. There have been incidents of antisocial behaviour, and some people feel quite disturbed by some of the behaviours in that part of the world.

My approach with the Hutt St Centre is I have been to see them. I have spoken to them on numerous occasions. I have convened a meeting with all the crisis and homelessness services behind the scenes to see what we can do to assist and support the Hutt St Centre, if they are experiencing an increase in workload in that area. They are well aware that I as minister am personally very supportive of their work. So, that's the approach that I have taken.

I have not been given to speaking to various stakeholders through the media; I don't think that's helpful. I think there have been people on both sides of the debate who have made particular accusations of one another, and I don't think, quite frankly, that helps the cohort of people who need those services to actually get a resolution and to provide services.

So, I have been working behind the scenes with them. They are well aware that I speak to the Lord Mayor on a regular basis. He also has convened a working group, which is focused on attempting to bring all the stakeholders together because clearly they have a lot of responsibilities in this space as well. I am hopeful that, going into the future, Hutt St Centre will continue to provide services and that we will be assisting homeless people in an appropriate manner.

The PRESIDENT: I understand there won't be a question from the Liberals. We will go to the Greens. The Hon. Ms Franks.

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