Wednesday, 31 July 2024

 Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:19): (1009) My adjournment is to the Minister for Planning and the Minister for Environment, as I have been redirected in my request for action by the Minister for Housing to approach both ministers, as this is allegedly their dual responsibility. The action I seek from these ministers is to take action and not sell the property at 42N Ballarto Road, Frankston North, and to turn it into short-term social housing. I have met with the Seaford Housing Action Coalition, which is known as SHAC, a community organisation concerned that adequate support be available to people who find themselves homeless and in need of crisis accommodation in the Seaford and Frankston areas, and I want to shout out to those who were actually protesting today very peacefully on the steps of Parliament about the housing crisis that we find ourselves in. There were many housing support workers that were out there advocating for their services and for the lack of services that this Allan Labor government has provided.

I did work as a housing support worker once, so I totally understand the need – in fact not just as a housing support worker but as a volunteer, and as a lead tenant in housing crisis accommodation – and I know what it is to not have enough accommodation. In fact in the south-east we are so short that we still only have the system that was developed decades ago and has not taken in the growth corridors that exist in the south-east. It does not even consider the need for crisis accommodation and how much that has increased. It still has only one service, for instance, provided in Mount Martha, which is not even in the south-east.

SHAC has called on me to support its application to consider plans for social housing at 42N Ballarto Road, Frankston North, believing that this location will help address the current crisis in social housing in Frankston and Seaford and no doubt in the surrounding areas. The total number of people living in crisis housing in Frankston has been estimated to be in the thousands. People need safe, affordable housing. The scale of the population living with these issues of poverty and unsafe housing has a significant impact on the local communities and street culture in Frankston. There are frequent calls for police, ambulance and by-law officers at the commercial rooming houses.

Labor’s $5.3 billion Big Build program, the SRL and road funding have diverted much-needed funds away from housing. In fact think about those budget blowouts that have been taking place and what part the CFMEU has played in those budget blowouts. We have another delay in projects with the current state budget, which expects to see its debt hit $187.8 billion by June 2028. Even the Productivity Commission in their recent midyear report have questioned whether Labor is doing enough for Victorians at risk of homelessness after being in power for almost a decade. Frankston is doing it tough, even though we have support agencies who are doing a fantastic job.

The PRESIDENT: Sorry, Mrs Hermans, your time has expired. Mrs Hermans, the standing orders only allow us to direct an adjournment matter to one minister.

Ann-Marie Hermans: This was a request of the Minister for Housing. That was the response they gave me.

The PRESIDENT: I have to go by the standing orders. I am going to put my neck out and say it sounds more like planning, so if it goes to the Minister for Planning and you get a letter that it is not her, you can blame me, and I will follow up for you.

Ann-Marie Hermans: This is the second time I have brought this up.

The PRESIDENT: I will follow up for you.