Wednesday, 12 August 2026

 Anasina GRAY-BARBERIO (Northern Metropolitan) (09:55): On any given day in Victoria homelessness services have to turn away 96 people. That is approximately 672 per week, 2688 a month, that access services and get rejected. The three top reasons people look to homelessness services are financial hardship, family violence and the housing crisis.

The Victorian Labor government recently announced a new Minister for Homelessness, another first-of-its-kind portfolio. It reminds me of the government’s short-lived and now abolished men and boys portfolio, also promoted as a first and created to address the manosphere and misogyny, which researchers say is a major cause for extremism in young men. This portfolio was touted to save lives yet lasted for months. Meanwhile, the women and girls portfolio remains, with the responsibility once again falling on us women to push for gender equality, speak up for our safety and protect ourselves from violence that is entirely preventable. A standalone portfolio for homelessness is needed, but without consistent funding and clear commitment it means nothing to thousands of Victorians sleeping rough in cars, on couches and on the streets.

Victoria has the worst social housing provision in this country and the highest rate of people seeking homelessness support. On top of this are family violence services that remain chronically underfunded and cannot house women and children escaping violence because there is nowhere safely to house them. The solution? Build more public housing and stop demolishing these public assets.