❓ Hon Ken Travers asks about government action on homelessness and the status of Commonwealth-State housing agreement negotiations. Hon Tom Stephens announces a $32 million commitment to alleviating homelessness, criticising the previous government's record and Commonwealth funding cuts.
AnsweredQoN 1375Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
HOMELESSNESS, GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
(1) Will the minister advise what action the Government is taking to address the problems of homelessness? In particular, will it provide any additional assistance to the supported housing assistance program? (2) At what stage are negotiations for a new commonwealth-state housing agreement? Hon Derrick Tomlinson: “I thank the member for some notice of this question.” Hon TOM STEPHENS
(1) Will the minister advise what action the Government is taking to address the problems of homelessness? In particular, will it provide any additional assistance to the supported housing assistance program? (2) At what stage are negotiations for a new commonwealth-state housing agreement? Hon Derrick Tomlinson: “I thank the member for some notice of this question.” Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) The member did not give me notice of the question, other than to mention briefly his interest in the issue. The parliamentary secretary was the shadow Minister for Housing and will derive much pleasure from today’s announcement by the Premier of a dramatic new government commitment to alleviating homelessness. The Premier announced that the Government will spend $32 million over four years. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is a dramatic and extraordinary contribution as a result of the Premier’s intervention in response to the report by the homelessness task force chaired by Tony Pietropiccolo, the President of the Western Australian Council of Social Service. It is by any standard an extraordinary additional allocation from the consolidated fund. The State has not traditionally drawn from that fund to provide extra capital works moneys for programs that involve the construction of housing. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: How much was that figure? Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is $32 million. This initiative will see the immediate injection of $10.5 million to build new housing, and $21.1 million over four years for support services, which comprises: $7 million to assist public and private sector tenants to keep their housing, $3.8 million to provide services and accommodation for people with mental illness, $3.5 million to help homeless children, $2 million for non-government organisations to provide financial counselling services, $2.4 million to help young people leaving long-term care, $1.4 million to support people exiting the justice system and $1 million to assist people to move directly into stable accommodation rather than through crisis accommodation. I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
(2) At what stage are negotiations for a new commonwealth-state housing agreement? Hon Derrick Tomlinson: “I thank the member for some notice of this question.” Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(2) The member did not give me notice of the question, other than to mention briefly his interest in the issue. The parliamentary secretary was the shadow Minister for Housing and will derive much pleasure from today’s announcement by the Premier of a dramatic new government commitment to alleviating homelessness. The Premier announced that the Government will spend $32 million over four years. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is a dramatic and extraordinary contribution as a result of the Premier’s intervention in response to the report by the homelessness task force chaired by Tony Pietropiccolo, the President of the Western Australian Council of Social Service. It is by any standard an extraordinary additional allocation from the consolidated fund. The State has not traditionally drawn from that fund to provide extra capital works moneys for programs that involve the construction of housing. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: How much was that figure? Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is $32 million. This initiative will see the immediate injection of $10.5 million to build new housing, and $21.1 million over four years for support services, which comprises: $7 million to assist public and private sector tenants to keep their housing, $3.8 million to provide services and accommodation for people with mental illness, $3.5 million to help homeless children, $2 million for non-government organisations to provide financial counselling services, $2.4 million to help young people leaving long-term care, $1.4 million to support people exiting the justice system and $1 million to assist people to move directly into stable accommodation rather than through crisis accommodation. I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
Hon Derrick Tomlinson: “I thank the member for some notice of this question.” Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(2) The member did not give me notice of the question, other than to mention briefly his interest in the issue. The parliamentary secretary was the shadow Minister for Housing and will derive much pleasure from today’s announcement by the Premier of a dramatic new government commitment to alleviating homelessness. The Premier announced that the Government will spend $32 million over four years. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is a dramatic and extraordinary contribution as a result of the Premier’s intervention in response to the report by the homelessness task force chaired by Tony Pietropiccolo, the President of the Western Australian Council of Social Service. It is by any standard an extraordinary additional allocation from the consolidated fund. The State has not traditionally drawn from that fund to provide extra capital works moneys for programs that involve the construction of housing. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: How much was that figure? Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is $32 million. This initiative will see the immediate injection of $10.5 million to build new housing, and $21.1 million over four years for support services, which comprises: $7 million to assist public and private sector tenants to keep their housing, $3.8 million to provide services and accommodation for people with mental illness, $3.5 million to help homeless children, $2 million for non-government organisations to provide financial counselling services, $2.4 million to help young people leaving long-term care, $1.4 million to support people exiting the justice system and $1 million to assist people to move directly into stable accommodation rather than through crisis accommodation. I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(2) The member did not give me notice of the question, other than to mention briefly his interest in the issue. The parliamentary secretary was the shadow Minister for Housing and will derive much pleasure from today’s announcement by the Premier of a dramatic new government commitment to alleviating homelessness. The Premier announced that the Government will spend $32 million over four years. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is a dramatic and extraordinary contribution as a result of the Premier’s intervention in response to the report by the homelessness task force chaired by Tony Pietropiccolo, the President of the Western Australian Council of Social Service. It is by any standard an extraordinary additional allocation from the consolidated fund. The State has not traditionally drawn from that fund to provide extra capital works moneys for programs that involve the construction of housing. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: How much was that figure? Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is $32 million. This initiative will see the immediate injection of $10.5 million to build new housing, and $21.1 million over four years for support services, which comprises: $7 million to assist public and private sector tenants to keep their housing, $3.8 million to provide services and accommodation for people with mental illness, $3.5 million to help homeless children, $2 million for non-government organisations to provide financial counselling services, $2.4 million to help young people leaving long-term care, $1.4 million to support people exiting the justice system and $1 million to assist people to move directly into stable accommodation rather than through crisis accommodation. I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
(1)-(2) The member did not give me notice of the question, other than to mention briefly his interest in the issue. The parliamentary secretary was the shadow Minister for Housing and will derive much pleasure from today’s announcement by the Premier of a dramatic new government commitment to alleviating homelessness. The Premier announced that the Government will spend $32 million over four years. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is a dramatic and extraordinary contribution as a result of the Premier’s intervention in response to the report by the homelessness task force chaired by Tony Pietropiccolo, the President of the Western Australian Council of Social Service. It is by any standard an extraordinary additional allocation from the consolidated fund. The State has not traditionally drawn from that fund to provide extra capital works moneys for programs that involve the construction of housing. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: How much was that figure? Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is $32 million. This initiative will see the immediate injection of $10.5 million to build new housing, and $21.1 million over four years for support services, which comprises: $7 million to assist public and private sector tenants to keep their housing, $3.8 million to provide services and accommodation for people with mental illness, $3.5 million to help homeless children, $2 million for non-government organisations to provide financial counselling services, $2.4 million to help young people leaving long-term care, $1.4 million to support people exiting the justice system and $1 million to assist people to move directly into stable accommodation rather than through crisis accommodation. I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is a dramatic and extraordinary contribution as a result of the Premier’s intervention in response to the report by the homelessness task force chaired by Tony Pietropiccolo, the President of the Western Australian Council of Social Service. It is by any standard an extraordinary additional allocation from the consolidated fund. The State has not traditionally drawn from that fund to provide extra capital works moneys for programs that involve the construction of housing. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: How much was that figure? Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is $32 million. This initiative will see the immediate injection of $10.5 million to build new housing, and $21.1 million over four years for support services, which comprises: $7 million to assist public and private sector tenants to keep their housing, $3.8 million to provide services and accommodation for people with mental illness, $3.5 million to help homeless children, $2 million for non-government organisations to provide financial counselling services, $2.4 million to help young people leaving long-term care, $1.4 million to support people exiting the justice system and $1 million to assist people to move directly into stable accommodation rather than through crisis accommodation. I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: How much was that figure? Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is $32 million. This initiative will see the immediate injection of $10.5 million to build new housing, and $21.1 million over four years for support services, which comprises: $7 million to assist public and private sector tenants to keep their housing, $3.8 million to provide services and accommodation for people with mental illness, $3.5 million to help homeless children, $2 million for non-government organisations to provide financial counselling services, $2.4 million to help young people leaving long-term care, $1.4 million to support people exiting the justice system and $1 million to assist people to move directly into stable accommodation rather than through crisis accommodation. I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is $32 million. This initiative will see the immediate injection of $10.5 million to build new housing, and $21.1 million over four years for support services, which comprises: $7 million to assist public and private sector tenants to keep their housing, $3.8 million to provide services and accommodation for people with mental illness, $3.5 million to help homeless children, $2 million for non-government organisations to provide financial counselling services, $2.4 million to help young people leaving long-term care, $1.4 million to support people exiting the justice system and $1 million to assist people to move directly into stable accommodation rather than through crisis accommodation. I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
(2) At what stage are negotiations for a new commonwealth-state housing agreement? Hon Derrick Tomlinson: “I thank the member for some notice of this question.” Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(2) The member did not give me notice of the question, other than to mention briefly his interest in the issue. The parliamentary secretary was the shadow Minister for Housing and will derive much pleasure from today’s announcement by the Premier of a dramatic new government commitment to alleviating homelessness. The Premier announced that the Government will spend $32 million over four years. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is a dramatic and extraordinary contribution as a result of the Premier’s intervention in response to the report by the homelessness task force chaired by Tony Pietropiccolo, the President of the Western Australian Council of Social Service. It is by any standard an extraordinary additional allocation from the consolidated fund. The State has not traditionally drawn from that fund to provide extra capital works moneys for programs that involve the construction of housing. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: How much was that figure? Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is $32 million. This initiative will see the immediate injection of $10.5 million to build new housing, and $21.1 million over four years for support services, which comprises: $7 million to assist public and private sector tenants to keep their housing, $3.8 million to provide services and accommodation for people with mental illness, $3.5 million to help homeless children, $2 million for non-government organisations to provide financial counselling services, $2.4 million to help young people leaving long-term care, $1.4 million to support people exiting the justice system and $1 million to assist people to move directly into stable accommodation rather than through crisis accommodation. I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
Hon Derrick Tomlinson: “I thank the member for some notice of this question.” Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(2) The member did not give me notice of the question, other than to mention briefly his interest in the issue. The parliamentary secretary was the shadow Minister for Housing and will derive much pleasure from today’s announcement by the Premier of a dramatic new government commitment to alleviating homelessness. The Premier announced that the Government will spend $32 million over four years. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is a dramatic and extraordinary contribution as a result of the Premier’s intervention in response to the report by the homelessness task force chaired by Tony Pietropiccolo, the President of the Western Australian Council of Social Service. It is by any standard an extraordinary additional allocation from the consolidated fund. The State has not traditionally drawn from that fund to provide extra capital works moneys for programs that involve the construction of housing. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: How much was that figure? Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is $32 million. This initiative will see the immediate injection of $10.5 million to build new housing, and $21.1 million over four years for support services, which comprises: $7 million to assist public and private sector tenants to keep their housing, $3.8 million to provide services and accommodation for people with mental illness, $3.5 million to help homeless children, $2 million for non-government organisations to provide financial counselling services, $2.4 million to help young people leaving long-term care, $1.4 million to support people exiting the justice system and $1 million to assist people to move directly into stable accommodation rather than through crisis accommodation. I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(2) The member did not give me notice of the question, other than to mention briefly his interest in the issue. The parliamentary secretary was the shadow Minister for Housing and will derive much pleasure from today’s announcement by the Premier of a dramatic new government commitment to alleviating homelessness. The Premier announced that the Government will spend $32 million over four years. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is a dramatic and extraordinary contribution as a result of the Premier’s intervention in response to the report by the homelessness task force chaired by Tony Pietropiccolo, the President of the Western Australian Council of Social Service. It is by any standard an extraordinary additional allocation from the consolidated fund. The State has not traditionally drawn from that fund to provide extra capital works moneys for programs that involve the construction of housing. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: How much was that figure? Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is $32 million. This initiative will see the immediate injection of $10.5 million to build new housing, and $21.1 million over four years for support services, which comprises: $7 million to assist public and private sector tenants to keep their housing, $3.8 million to provide services and accommodation for people with mental illness, $3.5 million to help homeless children, $2 million for non-government organisations to provide financial counselling services, $2.4 million to help young people leaving long-term care, $1.4 million to support people exiting the justice system and $1 million to assist people to move directly into stable accommodation rather than through crisis accommodation. I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
(1)-(2) The member did not give me notice of the question, other than to mention briefly his interest in the issue. The parliamentary secretary was the shadow Minister for Housing and will derive much pleasure from today’s announcement by the Premier of a dramatic new government commitment to alleviating homelessness. The Premier announced that the Government will spend $32 million over four years. Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is a dramatic and extraordinary contribution as a result of the Premier’s intervention in response to the report by the homelessness task force chaired by Tony Pietropiccolo, the President of the Western Australian Council of Social Service. It is by any standard an extraordinary additional allocation from the consolidated fund. The State has not traditionally drawn from that fund to provide extra capital works moneys for programs that involve the construction of housing. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: How much was that figure? Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is $32 million. This initiative will see the immediate injection of $10.5 million to build new housing, and $21.1 million over four years for support services, which comprises: $7 million to assist public and private sector tenants to keep their housing, $3.8 million to provide services and accommodation for people with mental illness, $3.5 million to help homeless children, $2 million for non-government organisations to provide financial counselling services, $2.4 million to help young people leaving long-term care, $1.4 million to support people exiting the justice system and $1 million to assist people to move directly into stable accommodation rather than through crisis accommodation. I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is a dramatic and extraordinary contribution as a result of the Premier’s intervention in response to the report by the homelessness task force chaired by Tony Pietropiccolo, the President of the Western Australian Council of Social Service. It is by any standard an extraordinary additional allocation from the consolidated fund. The State has not traditionally drawn from that fund to provide extra capital works moneys for programs that involve the construction of housing. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: How much was that figure? Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is $32 million. This initiative will see the immediate injection of $10.5 million to build new housing, and $21.1 million over four years for support services, which comprises: $7 million to assist public and private sector tenants to keep their housing, $3.8 million to provide services and accommodation for people with mental illness, $3.5 million to help homeless children, $2 million for non-government organisations to provide financial counselling services, $2.4 million to help young people leaving long-term care, $1.4 million to support people exiting the justice system and $1 million to assist people to move directly into stable accommodation rather than through crisis accommodation. I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich: How much was that figure? Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is $32 million. This initiative will see the immediate injection of $10.5 million to build new housing, and $21.1 million over four years for support services, which comprises: $7 million to assist public and private sector tenants to keep their housing, $3.8 million to provide services and accommodation for people with mental illness, $3.5 million to help homeless children, $2 million for non-government organisations to provide financial counselling services, $2.4 million to help young people leaving long-term care, $1.4 million to support people exiting the justice system and $1 million to assist people to move directly into stable accommodation rather than through crisis accommodation. I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: It is $32 million. This initiative will see the immediate injection of $10.5 million to build new housing, and $21.1 million over four years for support services, which comprises: $7 million to assist public and private sector tenants to keep their housing, $3.8 million to provide services and accommodation for people with mental illness, $3.5 million to help homeless children, $2 million for non-government organisations to provide financial counselling services, $2.4 million to help young people leaving long-term care, $1.4 million to support people exiting the justice system and $1 million to assist people to move directly into stable accommodation rather than through crisis accommodation. I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
I was daunted by the task when I was given this portfolio. Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
Hon Peter Foss: So you should have been; you are inadequate. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I was inadequate to deal with the task by myself. I was lucky to be able to convince my cabinet colleagues that an opportunity existed to respond to the fact that the Commonwealth Government had dramatically reduced its contribution to housing over the past few years. The Commonwealth Government has imposed an additional burden on the Government and people of Western Australia with the imposition of the goods and services tax. Through the homelessness task force, I convinced the State Government that the only solution was a massive injection of funds to compensate for the inadequacies that had been left behind by members opposite. I am proud of this Government’s contribution; it stands in dramatic contrast to the hopeless efforts of members opposite, who left us with a horrible legacy.
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