David Smith (Bean, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

On 20 June, for the 10th time, I'll be participating in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout here at Parliament House. I'll be joined by the member for Fenner and the Speaker.

In the ACT, the number of Canberrans experiencing homelessness sits above 1,700. I've seen the extraordinary work that Vinnies does in helping these vulnerable Canberrans through their drop-in centres and night patrol vans, and through the provision of nutritious meals, drinks, conversations and valuable ongoing assistance to those experiencing homelessness. I'd like to recognise Neville Tomkins OAM, president and chair of Scouts ACT as well as the CEO sleepout ambassador, for writing to me about this. Neville will be participating in his 13th sleepout later this month.

Last month's budget included additional funding for the new $9.3 billion National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness, which will begin on 1 July. This includes a doubling of Commonwealth homelessness funding to $400 million every year, matched by states and territories.

While the temperatures have always been below freezing, I've always been embraced by the warmth of the community participation in this annual sleepout. But we will just be participants. For us, it will just be one night; for thousands of others, it's their reality every night.

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