Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Fielding for the question and, as Senator Abetz observed, it is a good question. Senator Abetz ought to take some notes on how to ask a good question.

Senator Fielding is right to refer to the ABS report released today, which estimates the number of homeless people in Australia, using data from the 2006 census. It is a very confronting report. It indicates that total homelessness has increased by five per cent from 99,900 in 2001 to 105,000 in 2006—105,000 people who at that stage were classified as homeless. There was also an increase in those sleeping rough from 14,000 in 2001 to 16,300 in 2006.

The Senator referred to young people. The report notes that there has been some decrease in the youth homelessness figure, but it still stands at almost 18,000. These figures are from 2006, but the figures in this report are the most recent ones that we have. We know that these figures reflect the current reality that there are large numbers of people who are homeless and sleeping rough. That is why, upon coming to government, we made homelessness a priority. This government is committed to trying to address these very serious issues. That commitment and the need for that commitment are reinforced by this report.

We have already committed $150 million to building new homes for homeless Australians. We have announced $2 million for RecLink, the organisation behind the inspirational Choir of Hard Knocks, which is designed to run sport and recreational programs for people who are homeless. We are also supporting the homeless world soccer cup. I have had some involvement in trying to organise visas for what I think is a tremendous initiative.

We are, as you acknowledged, developing a white paper to set out the agenda for tackling homelessness through to 2020. The white paper will be considered by cabinet in the next few weeks. It will then be discussed with the states and territories as part of the COAG process. So while I concede that that is a longer term project in one sense, I think it does reflect the urgency of the government and it does reflect the need to tackle the problem in a whole way rather than just throwing little bits of money at various problems. The white paper is about us fundamentally attacking the problem of homelessness in this country. It is a very serious problem. For the first time for many years we have a Minister for Housing, Ms Tanya Plibersek, who is really working hard on this issue. The minister for FAHCSIA, Jenny Macklin, is also highly focused on it. So I think we will get real progress in these areas. We have a framework, I think, for a very serious assault on this most confronting problem. There are some measures we have taken immediately—more needs to be done. If there is anything else I can get for the Senator in answer to his question about specific numbers, I will take that on notice and try to get back to him.