Tuesday, 2 June 2026

 Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:17): (1328) My question is for the Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny in the other place. Victorians are enduring dual crises: cost of living and housing. Inevitably the most vulnerable suffer, and rough sleeping is increasing. Recent reporting indicates that some local councils have shifted dramatically towards a draconian and punitive approach for rough sleepers. There are reports of the City of Melbourne CSOs being encouraged to roughen up rough sleepers in the CBD, and the City of Port Phillip council is preparing to punish rough sleepers by confiscating their personal belongings. Contrast this to South Australia, where the South Australian housing authority has developed an app called Street Connect, which allows South Australians to refer rough sleepers to experienced and trained outreach workers. People who use the app are explicitly discouraged from treating rough sleepers disrespectfully and from approaching them, and they are reminded that it is illegal to forcibly move someone on or remove their belongings. I ask the Attorney: what is this government doing to protect vulnerable Victorians living on the streets from these alarming local council measures?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (14:18): I thank Ms Payne for her question and her interest in this really important matter. I will make sure that it is referred to the Attorney-General in the other place for a response in line with the standing orders.

 Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:19): I thank the minister for referring it on. By way of supplementary, a punitive approach to homelessness will almost certainly escalate tension between council workers, security officers and those that are sleeping rough. This will very likely lead to police involvement. Many rough sleepers are forced to beg to survive, and incredibly, in Victoria begging remains a crime. In 2025 I called for an end to the criminalisation of begging and raised the matter with the Attorney-General in Parliament. The department was tasked with considering my suggestion. I ask the Attorney: when will the government decriminalise begging in Victoria?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (14:19): I thank Ms Payne for her supplementary question. In line with the standing orders I will refer that to the Attorney-General in the other place for a response.