Homelessness
Will FOWLES (Ringwood) (14:24): My question is to the Premier. On 2 April I raised the urgent case of my constituent, a young mother with two small children facing the terrifying prospect of sleeping on the streets. The Premier assured the house that if provided her details she would ‘examine this matter further to see what more could be done’ and ‘seek further advice from the Minister for Housing’. Following the Premier’s response in the chamber, I hand-delivered a letter with my constituent’s details to her office as requested to ensure prompt attention. After six weeks without any response, I followed up seeking an update. The reply I received said ‘The issues in your email are of importance to the Premier’ and advised me that if I was ‘experiencing homelessness or at risk of homeless you can get help by calling 1800 825 955’. The Premier gave a public assurance in this chamber that she would look into this matter. What actions has she taken to assist this family?
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:25): In thanking the member for Ringwood for his question, I will confirm this advice formally outside of the chamber, but the advice I have received from my office is that the individual constituent matter he has referred to has been followed up with the individual concerned. If the member for Ringwood has any further information he would like to provide, we can follow that up outside of this chamber.
Will FOWLES (Ringwood) (14:25): That addresses the process part of the matter, but it does not address the substantive part. What action has the Premier taken to ensure that the needs of this constituent are in fact being met?
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:26): I am sure members of the house would appreciate that I am not going to divulge personal details about an individual, particularly one who is experiencing housing vulnerability and may indeed be vulnerable in this circumstance. I am just not going to do that, and I would hope the member for Ringwood would appreciate that.