Published Sunday, 27 January, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
HOMELESSNESS INQUIRY A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: SCHWARTEN
Queensland Housing Minister Robert Schwarten has welcomed today’s announcement by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of an inquiry into homelessness in Australia.
Mr Schwarten said he had spoken to Federal Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek and assured her that the Queensland Government would cooperate fully with the inquiry being undertaken by the Executive Chairman of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Tony Nicholson.
“I congratulate Mr Rudd and Ms Plibersek on making the decision to explore homelessness in Australia … it is well overdue,” Mr Schwarten said.
“As the longest serving Housing Minister in Australia I saw first-hand the contempt the Howard Government had for homelessness and social housing.
“It is refreshing to see the Rudd Government taking steps to fix the problem so early in its first term.
“The inquiry will examine the root causes of homelessness in this country and establish a road map to a solution.”
Mr Schwarten said today’s announcement showed Federal Labor was getting on with the job of housing Australia’s poorest people.
“Tanya Plibersek has said more about social housing in the eight weeks she has been Federal Housing Minister than was said by the Howard Government in its entirety,” he said.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on 0488 096 204
Mr Schwarten said he had spoken to Federal Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek and assured her that the Queensland Government would cooperate fully with the inquiry being undertaken by the Executive Chairman of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Tony Nicholson.
“I congratulate Mr Rudd and Ms Plibersek on making the decision to explore homelessness in Australia … it is well overdue,” Mr Schwarten said.
“As the longest serving Housing Minister in Australia I saw first-hand the contempt the Howard Government had for homelessness and social housing.
“It is refreshing to see the Rudd Government taking steps to fix the problem so early in its first term.
“The inquiry will examine the root causes of homelessness in this country and establish a road map to a solution.”
Mr Schwarten said today’s announcement showed Federal Labor was getting on with the job of housing Australia’s poorest people.
“Tanya Plibersek has said more about social housing in the eight weeks she has been Federal Housing Minister than was said by the Howard Government in its entirety,” he said.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on 0488 096 204