Media Release
YWCA Canberra congratulates Dr Marisa Paterson on her appointment to Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, within the ACT Government.
YWCA Canberra worked collaboratively with Minister Paterson since her election in 2020 in the advancement of women’s safety and wellbeing in Canberra. We look forward to continuing this relationship over this term of Government and contributing positively to policy development and law reform in the advancement of women.
YWCA Canberra is, however, concerned at the decision to dissolve the Homelessness portfolio. This omission is a poor reflection on the ACT Government’s commitment to address homelessness in Canberra. Further, it fails to align with the Australian Government’s National Plan for Housing and Homelessness, a 10-year strategy to inform Australia’s future housing and homelessness policy, a strategy the ACT will be a partner on. The decision to discontinue the Homelessness portfolio is both strategically shortsighted and removed from the reality of homelessness in Canberra.
The 2021 Census estimated there were more than 1700 homeless persons in the ACT on Census night. This included 80 women aged 55 and over and 260 children under the age of 12. The Census also revealed worsening rates of overcrowding in the ACT, at odds with trends nationally. More recently, Specialist Homelessness Service data reveals nearly 2000 people accessed services in May 2024.
“Homelessness has not suddenly gone away, yet the portfolio has been discontinued” said YWCA Canberra CEO Frances Crimmins.
The decision to discontinue the Homelessness portfolio is a poor reflection on the ACT Government’s commitment to deliver housing outcomes to meet the needs of a growing Canberra: By any metric, this must include the most vulnerable people in our community who require income-based rent and homelessness support services. A distinct Homelessness portfolio, within Cabinet, is intrinsic to those experiencing homelessness in Canberra, and the services they rely on being given the prioritisation they deserve.
YWCA Canberra urges the ACT Government to reconsider this decision and re-establish the Homelessness portfolio to more effectively support Canberra’s growing population and vulnerable community members.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Eleanor Sander O’Hearn
Executive Director Communications Advocacy Engagement
Eleanor.sanderohearn@ywca-canberra.org.au
0475 240 101