Page 776 - Week 03 - Thursday, 2 April 2020
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We have set up a rough sleeper task force, who have already had their first meeting, to look at what are the priority needs for that particular cohort. We are also working with other homelessness support services, including the domestic and family violence support services, about what they are seeing and hearing from their clients, and working with them on what we need to do to address the situation as it comes.
MRS KIKKERT: Minister, what has been considered for the provision of basic personal hygiene for people experiencing homelessness, given that Orange Sky have ceased their operations, and the Early Morning Centre is offering a restricted service?
MS BERRY: Night Patrol and Street to Home have always provided hygiene packs to people who are sleeping rough. The hygiene packs include things like soap, shampoo, conditioner, wipes, toothpaste and combs—that sort of thing. The Early Morning Centre is still providing showers for people who are sleeping rough, while obviously keeping in mind the social distancing rules at the moment. I have not heard that there has been a need to increase that service, even though Orange Sky has stopped operating at the moment. As I said, we work very closely with and listen very carefully to the Early Morning Centre. If they are seeing a need, we will make sure we work to address that.
MR HANSON: Minister, will you consider hotel accommodation for people experiencing homelessness to protect their health and help them to self-isolate, as is proposed by the Western Australian Labor government?
MS BERRY: This year we have had an increase in emergency accommodation, probably also due to the smoke and fires earlier in the year. We have already been providing emergency accommodation for people who need it. For people who need to isolate, yes, absolutely; that is an option for us to be able to provide a safe place for people to isolate, if they are diagnosed with COVID-19, and we will support them in that accommodation.
Mr Barr: I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Answers to questions on notice
Questions 2925, 2927, 2931, 2935
MS LE COUTEUR: I have a list of questions on notice that have not been answered. I acknowledge that two came in just a few minutes ago and I have not knocked them off the list. The questions are 2931 and 2935 to the Attorney-General and questions 2925 and 2927 to the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development. I appreciate that everybody is really busy, but some of these were asked before it got quite so bad, and it would be nice to get an answer.
MR BARR: On behalf of those ministers, some of whom are not in the chamber, we are working through all of these questions on notice and answers will be provided to members as soon as possible. I appreciate that some were asked before this situation arose, but right at the moment across ACT government months of work is being done in days and weeks and the workload on ministers, particularly some ministers, is the most they have ever experienced in their working careers.
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