Tuesday, 17 March 2026

 Roma BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (19:08): (1583) Two years ago I spoke in this Parliament about a little girl with a severe handicap who was homeless. I pleaded with the government to do something to fix it. And what has been done? Nothing, zilch, zero. For the last two years the government has had every chance to resolve this. The issue I am raising for the Minister for Housing and Building tonight is to once again ask her to urgently find Nova a home. Nova is 10 years old and lives with severe cerebral palsy. She is non-verbal, relies on a wheelchair and requires 24-hour care. Her father Doug is despairing. He simply cannot work and care for Nova and her little brother. Nova’s mother tragically passed away when she was four. Doug has been on the public housing list now for six years. The NDIS provides services for Nova, but it cannot provide housing, as this is the Allan Labor government’s responsibility. Two years ago the concerned community found out that this family were living in a caravan in a paddock with no running water or power. Upon first being informed about Nova, I took this to the minister and asked her to quietly intervene because I did not want this to be politicised and this proud father did not want pity or charity. But when it was ignored I had no choice but to raise it in this Parliament. Still the Allan Labor government did nothing. Nothing has happened. The Allan Labor government have failed this family. This is a disgrace. How can we as a society accept a little girl with cerebral palsy who requires a motorised wheelchair and 24-hour care being out on the street? Clearly this Allan Labor government has no shame.

It was a kind community member who ended up stepping forward and offering the dad and the children a temporary roof over their heads, but that arrangement cannot continue due to other circumstances. The only communication Doug has received in the last two years from the government is an aggressive correspondence asking for him to fill out a form or risk being chucked off the housing list. In two years he has had one phone call – with no offer of hope, no timeline and no information. What a disgraceful way to treat our most vulnerable. Doug has hit rock bottom. He actually said to me that maybe he is better off giving Nova up. At least she will get a house, because the government will have to take her into their care.

A family break-up is not the answer. Nova deserves her dad and brother in her life. She has already lost her mum. Every taxpayer in Victoria would expect a family like this to be looked after in these circumstances. That is why we pay our taxes. Nova and her family need safe and secure housing, because a disabled child should never be left facing homelessness. If this government had any semblance of decency, they would take a good hard look at themselves, check their priorities and give this family a home.