Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for School Education and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

The Gillard government know that there are too many Australians who are homeless. This is the Labor government that made reducing homelessness a national priority through our inaugural white paper on homelessness, which makes it clear we want to halve overall homelessness and by 2020 provide supported accommodation to all rough sleepers who seek it. To back our commitment, the government have invested an unprecedented $5 billion into supporting homeless people and services through programs since 2008. The government have been working with states and territories, business, charities and the community to reduce homelessness in Australia through our $1.1 billion national partnership agreement on homelessness, which is delivering 180 new, expanded homelessness services. The Labor government have also invested a record $2.2 billion in a mental health reform package. Since being elected the government have invested a record $20 billion in making housing more affordable.