Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness) Share this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

(1) Substantial consultation occurred through the inquiry process conducted by the former House Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth at the request of the former Minister for Housing, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP. The Inquiry received 97 submissions and conducted five public hearings, and at its conclusion made 15 recommendations, several of which related to legislation. There has also been careful consideration of the complex legal advice referred to in the February Estimates, on what the Government can and cannot legislate for.

The Government is working with the sector to ensure there is an adequate consultation period for consideration of an exposure draft.

(2) The timing of the release of an exposure draft will be subject to the availability of drafting resources in the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

(3) The Homelessness Branch of FaHCSIA has carriage of the homelessness legislation. The Office of Parliamentary Counsel will draft the legislation.