14 May 2024
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:17): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the minister representing the Treasurer on the topic of federal funding for homelessness.
Leave granted.
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Last week, the federal government announced that they would be providing $9.3 billion to states and territories over the next five years to provide support for people who are homeless, crisis support and to build and repair social housing stock. The move, however, has been criticised as being disingenuous, and I understand that there is no new money that is being allocated. Instead, this represents a business as usual model where the $9.3 billion allocated is simply an extension of the existing funding agreement that has been in place since the years of the Morrison government. My question to the minister representing the Treasurer therefore is:
1. Will South Australia be receiving any new housing funding from the commonwealth over the next five years?
2. What action has the government taken to advocate for more support from the federal government to address the cost-of-living crisis that is engulfing our state?
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:18): I thank the honourable member for his question. I will be more than happy to pass those questions on to the Treasurer in the other place and bring back a reply for him.
27 August 2024
In reply to the Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14 May 2024).
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): The Treasurer has advised:
Funding under the new National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness (NASHH) is effectively a continuation of the former National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA) with the only significant changes being the split between the specific homelessness and general housing components.
However, by signing up to the new agreement, South Australia became eligible for a share of the new $1 billion Housing Support Program (Priority Work Stream) funding. This funding will be used to support infrastructure projects that are currently limiting our ability to build more housing. South Australia's share of this is estimated at $67.4 million.
Throughout the negotiations for the NASHH, the government has made efforts to advocate for additional funding. This included representations to the Hon. Jim Chalmers, commonwealth Treasurer, from the Board of Treasurers (all state and territory treasurers) advocating for more funding under the NASHH.