Wednesday, 6 March 2024

Housing

Roma BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (14:33): My question is to the Premier. Doug, a widower, and his two children, including his daughter Nova, who has cerebral palsy and uses a motorised wheelchair, have been waiting on the social housing list for four years. Last week, following a story on A Current Affair about the family’s plight, the government issued a statement claiming the family had been offered two homes. Does the Premier stand by this claim?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:33): The member for South-West Coast has raised a very specific example with particular details, and I will refer that matter to the Minister for Housing for further action and follow-up.

Roma BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (14:34): In one week’s time Doug and his family may have no other option but to move back into an abandoned bus in a paddock. It is simply unacceptable that this vulnerable family is being left homeless. There are suitable properties available in Warrnambool. Will the Premier find Doug and his family a home tomorrow? I did refer it to the minister two weeks ago in this house. You know about it.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for South-West Coast, I would ask you not to use ‘you’ in the chamber. It is a reflection on the Chair.

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:34): As I indicated in my previous answer, I will refer that matter to the Minister for Housing. I would appreciate the member for South-West Coast –

Roma Britnell: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, this question is an important question that needs answering. Doug is waiting. His daughter is desperate. Can you please address the question and answer whether Doug can have a home in Warrnambool tomorrow? They are there, waiting.

The SPEAKER: Member for South-West Coast, I ask for points of order to be succinct and to the point. The Premier was being relevant.

Jacinta ALLAN: I will say this to the member for South-West Coast: I will extend to Doug and his family the dignity and respect that they deserve for these matters to be dealt with in a respectful way, not in the way that is being conveyed at present. I think it is important that we understand –

Roma Britnell: On a point of order, Speaker, I would like the minister to withdraw the fact that I was disrespectful; in fact I was quite the opposite. To maintain this family’s dignity I went to the government first, before the press, because his dignity needed preserving. That was my initial aim.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Did you request a withdrawal, member for South-West Coast?

Roma Britnell: Yes, Speaker, I requested a withdrawal.

The SPEAKER: The member for South-West Coast believes there was a personal reflection. I ask the Premier to withdraw.

Jacinta ALLAN: To assist the house, I withdraw, and I also refer the member for South-West Coast to the many examples of how, whether it is through the $5.3 billion Big Housing Build, the additional $1 billion that we are investing –

John Pesutto interjected.

Jacinta ALLAN: You know what, Leader of the Opposition? It is working very well. Let me tell you what we have been doing since January of this year.

John Pesutto: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, I ask you to bring the Premier back to the question about Doug and his two kids.

Jacinta ALLAN: On the point of order, Speaker, I was being entirely relevant to the question that was asked. It looks like the future leadership of the Liberal Party is sitting up there in the back row.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The house will come to order! The member for Wendouree can leave the chamber for an hour. The member for Euroa can leave the chamber for an hour.

Members for Wendouree and Euroa withdrew from chamber.

James Newbury: On the point of order, Speaker, we are talking about someone who is about to be homeless. He and his family are about to be homeless. I would ask you to bring the Premier back, on relevance, to this important question.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for South Barwon can leave the chamber for an hour.

Member for South Barwon withdrew from chamber.

The SPEAKER: The Premier was being relevant to the question that was asked.

Jacinta ALLAN: The question went to housing supply. I was about to go through – and time will not permit me to go through – the long list of actions that we have taken in the most recent months.

John Pesutto: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is defying your ruling. This is about Doug. The question is about whether the Premier can get Doug and his two kids a home tomorrow. I appreciate the broader list –

The SPEAKER: The Premier was being relevant to the question that was asked.

Jacinta ALLAN: I know the Leader of the Opposition is embarrassed that he has blocked, not supported, more homes. We will continue to invest in more homes.