Wednesday, 12 August 2026

 Juliana ADDISON (Wendouree) (19:19): (1778) I rise tonight with an adjournment matter for the Minister for Housing, Building and Precincts and Minister for Homelessness, and the action that I seek is that the minister come to my electorate of Wendouree to meet with local housing and homelessness services to hear directly from the people with lived experience and see firsthand both the challenges and the innovative community responses that are making a difference across Ballarat and the Central Highlands. Last week during Homelessness Week I had the opportunity to attend a number of important events that highlighted both the scale of housing need in our region and the remarkable work being undertaken by the dedicated organisations, their workers and volunteers. We are indebted to you. I would like to give a shout-out to Monica, who I met today, one of the Australian Services Union delegates who works in housing for Salvos based in Melbourne but does work across Victoria, including in my electorate of Wendouree. Thank you to the ASU members covered by the social, community, home care and disability services award for the work that you do. We know the complexity is increasing. We know the challenges are increasing, and we just recognise the work you do.

During Homelessness Week one of the most powerful events I went to was Houses at the Lake at Lake Wendouree organised by the Central Highlands Homelessness Alliance. More than 6000 origami houses were displayed around the lake, representing the significant number of additional social homes required to meet current demand across our region. It was a striking visual reminder that housing affordability and homelessness remain pressing issues for individuals and families throughout my community. Across our region increasing housing costs, limited housing availability and growing housing insecurity continue to place enormous pressure on people seeking a safe place to call home. Families, older Victorians, young people and individuals experiencing hardship are feeling the impacts of the challenging housing market. The Houses at the Lake installation sent a clear message that we must continue to work together to raise awareness, challenge stigma and build a future where everyone has access to safe, secure, affordable housing.

I would also like to acknowledge Peplow House, who celebrated 50 years of changing lives, saving lives and being transformative in the lives of some of our most vulnerable men in Ballarat. The milestone was an opportunity to recognise the great vision and work of Gerry Baldock, who founded Peplow House in 1976, acknowledge the dedication of the staff, particularly Tristian and Navan, who work there, and to be there with CatholicCare Victoria, knowing the work that they are doing at Peplow House 50 years on is just as important as when the doors opened in 1976. I thank the Ballarat housing workers for their great work, and I look forward to welcoming the minister to Ballarat.