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

I move:

That:

(a) the Senate notes that:

(i) the Government‘s 2014-15 budget will have severe impacts on those Australians most at risk of becoming homeless,

(ii) the consequences of this budget will be an increase in the number of homeless people, and

(iii) the Government has already cut more than $40 million from the capital budget of homeless service providers for shelters and housing for the homeless; and

(b) there be laid on the table, by the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services, no later than noon on Monday, 16 June 2014:

(i) an estimate of the number of additional Australians who will be forced into homelessness as a result of measures taken in the 2014-15 budget, and

(ii) measures that the Government proposes to take to provide adequate emergency accommodation and services, and adequate and affordable housing for people made homeless by measures in the Government‘s 2014-15 budget in addition to those 100 000 already experiencing homelessness in Australia.

I seek leave to make a brief statement.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

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

I thank my Senate colleagues from the Labor Party and the cross benches for their support for this motion. This motion effectively will deal with the cumulative impacts of this government's extraordinarily cruel budget on homeless people and people at risk of homelessness. There is no question at all that many more people will be made homeless as a cumulative result of this government's extraordinary attack on the Australian community. This government needs to provide us with the models that they have done, the estimates that they have for the numbers of homeless people, the increased numbers of homeless people as a result of this budget—and if you do not know how many more people will be made homeless you should. We will be back here on 16 June to find out whether the government actually cares or knows how many more people will be made homeless, because this budget is a disgrace.

Question agreed to.

Law Week and Access to Justice

Penny Wright (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

(c) calls on the Government to fund the legal assistance sector adequately to ensure it can fulfil its important advocacy role.

Question agreed to.