Today in Senate Estimates it was revealed the Morrison Government doesn’t know:
- If homelessness is going to go up in the next twelve months,
- What will happen to the 7000 homeless Australians put into empty hotel rooms during the pandemic,
- How many people applied to have their rent cut or deferred during the moratorium on evictions, or
- How many Australians have accessed homelessness services throughout the pandemic.
Here are some of the non-answers from today’s Estimates:
Q: What modelling has the Department done to assess the likely increased demand for homelessness services because of job losses resulting from the current recession and cuts to income support?
A: “The Federal Government does not have as much information about the details of homelessness and social housing activities in the states for us to get a clear understanding.”
Anne Ruston, Minister for Families and Social Services
Q: Has the Government collected any data on the success or otherwise of National Cabinet’s eviction moratorium?
A: “I’m unable to assist.”
Kathryn Campbell, Secretary for the Department of Social Services.
Q: What update can the Department provide on the number of people provided with temporary hotel accommodation during the COVID crisis?
A: “We would certainly love that information.”
Anne Ruston, Minister for Families and Social Services
These are basic facts the Government should know.
Putting a roof over the head of Australians in the middle of a pandemic should be the most basic thing the Government is focussed on.
This proves they’re not.
FRIDAY, 30 OCTOBER 2020
