Jane Prentice (Ryan, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Today in the chamber we will have students from St Joseph's school, Bardon, join us for question time. When I visited them last week, I challenged them to draft a 90-second speech about our local community. I now congratulate Ella Patterson and Lily Shortis, who asked that I draw our attention to the 2015 Vinnies CEO Sleepout.

Ella and Lily remind us that more than 100,000 people experience homelessness in Australia, with more than 19,000 in Queensland alone. Half the people affected by homelessness are women, and a quarter are under the age of 18. Think of how often you contact your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours. What if you did not have this? For many Australians this is nonexistent, leaving them isolated and unloved.

Over the past 10 years, the Vinnies Sleepout has raised around $24 million. Funds donated will help to provide emergency assistance and pathways to a brighter future and help people break the cycle of homelessness. The aim this year is to raise around $10 million.

Helping the homeless is everyone's responsibility. The inspiration that we need is all around us. Business and community members are invited to rise to the challenge and experience what it is like to sleep rough for one night. On that night people are offered a sheet of cardboard for a bed, a cup of soup and a warm drink. By getting involved you will be raising awareness about the issue of homelessness. Ella and Lily quote Mother Teresa, who said, 'If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.'

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