Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I'll start with the question that was asked by the member for Tangney. Once again, I express to him my absolute and utter respect for the way that he deals with this portfolio area. He brings with it a life experience that means he's heartfelt, sincere and really focused not on ideology but on wanting to get outcomes on the ground. I absolutely commend him for that.

The government's drug-testing trial, which we hope to get through the parliament in the coming months, would see people randomly drug tested—5,000 new recipients of Newstart and youth allowance, other, over two years in the three trial sites of Canterbury-Bankstown in New South Wales, Logan in Queensland and Mandurah in Western Australia. Importantly, he went to the area that it's not solely about drug testing—it's also about the wrap-around services that come with that, so we have a proper approach to help those people who are, sadly, afflicted with drug dependence.

The treatment funds will comprise $1 million for case management services to help people who return more than one positive test result during the trial access the services and treatment identified in their treatment plan; $3 million in funding to boost drug-treatment capacity in the three trial sites and respond to any additional treatment demands; and approximately $6 million for accredited treatment support for individuals identified through the trial, in the event that state or Commonwealth funded services are not able to be accessed in a timely manner. I thank him very much for his interest in this area.

I would like to mention the issues around housing and homelessness. As the parliament knows, the Australian government has taken this issue incredibly seriously. That's why, in addition to the approximate $4.4 billion provided in Commonwealth rent assistance, the government announced a comprehensive housing affordability plan as part of the 2017-18 budget. The government's plan improves housing outcomes for Australians by unlocking supply, creating the right incentives and improving outcomes for those most in need. This includes the establishment of a new $1.5 billion-a-year National Housing and Homelessness Agreement, to commence on 1 July 2018; the First Home Super Saver Scheme, to help Australians buy their first home; the $1 billion National Housing Infrastructure Facility; the $9.6 million National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation, which will help unlock new housing supply, including social housing; $6 million to support the Homes for Homes initiative, which aims to raise funds for social and affordable housing; and $10 million over 10 years to develop social-impact investments that help young people at risk of homelessness.

I would now like to address the issue that the former minister raised with me, and I thank him for his question. Obviously, the government's investment approach is incredibly important and is getting results. The government released the priority investment approach 2016 valuation report, which estimated the future lifetime cost of welfare payments for all Australians to be $4.5 trillion as at 30 June 2016, compared to the baseline valuation report estimation of $4.8 trillion as at 30 June 2015. As we can see, as a result of the government's policy, the lifetime cost of our welfare system has been reduced by $28 billion due to the approach that we've taken, which is obviously significant for the Australian people.

I mention that, when it comes to pensions, under this government, pensions for singles have risen by approximately $100—by $99.20 per fortnight. Pensions for couples have risen by nearly $150—by $149.40 per fortnight.

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