Thursday, 9 March 2023

Jenny Smith

Colin BROOKS (Bundoora – Minister for Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (09:46): I want to recognise the leadership, dedication and integrity of Jenny Smith, who retires tomorrow as CEO of Victoria’s Council to Homeless Persons. Jenny’s professional life has been dedicated to the health, mental health and community sectors, helping some of the most vulnerable members of our community. The respect and esteem in which Jenny is held across the homelessness and broader community sector is testament to her commitment to improving the lives of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. She has made an enormous contribution to homelessness policy and practice at a state and national level, championing evidence-based policy and best practice models to support people sleeping rough.

The groundbreaking Housing First response during COVID-19 and the From Homelessness to a Home and Homes for Families programs would not have been possible without the work of people like Jenny. She has also promoted the voices of people with lived experience in developing responses to homelessness through initiatives such as the Peer Education Support Program. She has played a crucial role in developing Victoria’s homelessness workforce and a road map for the future development and capacity of the homelessness sector.

Lastly, I want to acknowledge Jenny’s leadership over the years beyond her role as CEO of the Council to Homeless Persons. She has chaired and participated in a number of governance and advisory groups, including multiple ministerial advisory committees, the Royal Commission into Family Violence housing task force and as chair of the Homelessness Australia national peak body. She also elevated Parity, the Council to Homeless Persons’ regular publication, onto a national platform to advance the discourse on homelessness across the country. I want to acknowledge and thank Jenny Smith for her incredible contribution and wish her well in retirement.