Hon. MAJ SCANLON (Gaven—ALP) (Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works) (10.18 am): Our government is listening and delivering cost-of-living support to Queenslanders right across the state. Last week we were in Rocky, the beef capital, for community cabinet to do just that: listen and take action. We visited new social homes being built and met with our hardworking QBuild crews to see the critical work that they are doing to build more homes for Queenslanders.

I also had the chance to talk with our funded homelessness organisations—groups such as Anglicare Central Queensland, Roseberry House, Darumbal Community Youth Service Inc., Vinnies and Girls Time Out. We listened to Queenslanders and our hardworking homelessness organisations when they told us that they wanted us to do more. When I first came into this role, I visited all parts of Queensland and sat down and listened to those organisations. I was pleased to share with them the news that, through Homes for Queenslanders, we have boosted funding for frontline services by 20 per cent, including in Central Queensland.

Anglicare Central Queensland CEO Carol Goodwin said that funding is vital so they can provide more assistance for people at risk of homelessness and those already sleeping rough. We are also establishing a new team in Rockhampton to rapidly respond and reach out to the most vulnerable and offer them a safe place to stay. The work through our Homes for Queenslanders plan is having a real impact for people like Susan, who just recently moved into her new social home in Yeppoon. Susan says— I was facing living on the street. Now this beautiful home is offering me security and I’ll be living out my days here.

Clifford was struggling to afford his latest rent, so the local housing service centre provided him with direct cost-of-living support. Our $160 million rent relief package provides even more funding to support Queenslanders find, get and keep their rental.

I look forward to joining the member for Mackay in her community to talk about how Homes for Queenslanders will help them. We will certainly have more shovels in the ground on some new homes there very soon. Only the Miles government listens to Queenslanders. We agree that every Queenslander deserves safe, secure and affordable housing. That is what we will deliver through our Homes for Queenslanders plan, but all of that is at risk if those opposite are voted in in October.