asked the Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness, upon notice, on 4 April 2011:

Further to recent questions asked during the 2010-11 additional estimates for the Community Affairs Legislation Committee concerning the progress of the Commonwealth legislation on homelessness:

(1) Can details be provided of the consultation process that has already taken place and is expected to take place during the drafting of the legislation.

(2) When will an exposure draft be released.

(3) Which unit or agency within the department is preparing the legislation.

The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

(1) Substantial consultation occurred through the inquiry process conducted by the former House Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth at the request of the former Minister for Housing, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP. The Inquiry received 97 submissions and conducted five public hearings, and at its conclusion made 15 recommendations, several of which related to legislation. There has also been careful consideration of the complex legal advice referred to in the February Estimates, on what the Government can and cannot legislate for.

The Government is working with the sector to ensure there is an adequate consultation period for consideration of an exposure draft.

(2) The timing of the release of an exposure draft will be subject to the availability of drafting resources in the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

(3) The Homelessness Branch of FaHCSIA has carriage of the homelessness legislation. The Office of Parliamentary Counsel will draft the legislation.