Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has called on the Palaszczuk Government to show empathy, compassion and rationality this Youth Homelessness Matters Day.
Mr Bennett will today resubmit his Question on Notice regarding state-owned homes sitting empty in the middle of a housing crisis.
“A raised the issue of vacant homes one month ago,” he said.
“Instead of having rational interdepartmental discussions, the Labor Government once again passed the buck, told me to ask a different minister, and wait another 30 days. *
“In the meantime, people are still living rough and sleeping on the side of the road or in parks.
“When the sun sets at Lions Park on the outskirts of Bundaberg, cars roll in and young couples unpack their swags.
“This can not continue.”
It’s estimated over 1,200 people in the Bundaberg region alone are experiencing homelessness or living in improvised or marginal housing situations. **
In Queensland, over 21,000 people under the age of 24 are homeless or living in improvised or marginal housing situations. ***
Mr Bennett said homelessness does not discriminate with young families and children caught in the crisis.
“The sad reality is over 40 per cent of young people in Queensland who are experiencing homelessness are under 12 years old,” he said. ***
“These kids still have to get up and go to school, no different their peers who have had a good night sleep in the security of their own home.
“These children can’t keep waiting.
“The State Labor Government needs to listen to the solutions we’re putting forward and get serious on the housing crisis.
“Identify underutilised state and private assets, start interdepartmental discussions, release land for freehold, work with our local building industry and reduce fees and charges.
“Stop the petty politics and start working for the people you represent.”
* https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableoffice/questionsanswers/2023/172-2023.pdf
** https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/LGA31820
*** https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/housing/estimating-homelessness-census/2021#data-downloads
ENDS.
19/04/2023