Thursday, 24 September 2026

 Nina TAYLOR (Albert Park) (18:53): (1862) My adjournment matter is directed to the Minister for Housing, Building and Precincts. The action I seek is for the minister to join me in my electorate of Albert Park to visit Sacred Heart Mission in St Kilda and see firsthand the important work undertaken by its staff, volunteers and community partners. Sacred Heart Mission is a wonderful organisation that has for many years provided practical support, food, housing assistance and other essential services to people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage and social exclusion.

Our Carroll Labor government is a strong supporter of the work that happens at Sacred Heart. It invested $45 million – a portion of the total $1.1 billion investment across the homelessness sector over four years in the 2024–25 budget – to fund the expansion of their Journey to Social Inclusion program. The program has been designed to target chronic homelessness and is estimated to save roughly $80 million in costs associated with crisis accommodation, mental health services and hospital visits over 10 years. A visit to Sacred Heart would provide the minister with an opportunity to listen directly to the people who use these services, meet the dedicated staff and volunteers who deliver them and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Victorians experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.

Sacred Heart Mission plays an important role in supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Its work is a reminder that addressing homelessness and housing insecurity requires not only government investment and policy but also strong partnerships with community organisations that are working on the front line every day. I therefore ask the minister – who is, I should say, the Minister for Homelessness as well – to accept this invitation to visit Sacred Heart Mission in St Kilda and meet with those who are working tirelessly to support people in need.