Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator McLucas, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) That the Abbott Government's 2014 15 budget included cuts of $589.6 million from housing and homelessness initiatives, including axing the $44 million capital budget in the National Partnership for Homelessness (NPAH) used for shelters and housing for the homeless,

(ii) continued uncertainty over the future of the Government's responsibility for housing places at least 3 400 highly specialised jobs across 180 initiatives providing services to 80 000 clients every year under the NPAH at risk, and

(iii) even at current levels of funding there are 100 000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in Australia and another 225 000 Australian families on waiting lists for social housing; and

(b) orders that there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services, no later than 3 pm on Wednesday, 11 February 2015, a statement to the Senate clarifying the Government's commitment to:

(i) homelessness beyond June 2015, including progress on review and negotiations of the NPAH, and

(ii) affordable housing, including the future of the NPAH.

Notice of motion altered on 9 February 2015 pursuant to standing order 77.

Question agreed to.