Hon. MAJ SCANLON (Gaven—ALP) (Minister for Housing) (9.55 am): Recently the member for
Caloundra and I met with new mum Amelia who bravely shared her story. At 30 weeks pregnant with
her soon-to-be son Luca, Amelia became homeless. She was able to receive emergency
accommodation and keep a roof over her head during her pregnancy. I am pleased to say she has now
found a new permanent place to call home in a new social housing development at Beerwah on the
Sunshine Coast. She is one of the dozens of new residents at the 33-unit complex built by the
Palaszczuk government and delivered alongside community housing provider Coast2Bay. With Luca,
she now has a safe place to call home that is close to vital services, shops and transport.

People like Amelia are why this government has committed the largest concentrated investment
in social and affordable housing in Queensland’s history to help deliver 13,000 homes and why last
week the Treasurer and I announced that this year’s budget will build on that, including $64 million of
additional funding for emergency supported accommodation. The accommodation will provide
immediate support for people and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It means a bed to
sleep in, a place with a roof and wraparound support if you need it.

Across the country housing pressures are having an impact, including here in Queensland. That
is why we are taking action with a record investment in new social and affordable homes and providing
more immediate services to those who need it. It adds to other housing and homelessness supports
the government currently provides, including rental grants, bond loans and headleases, and builds on
the three former retirement villages we are turning into accommodation in Redlands, Toowoomba and
Clayfield.

I have seen the power social housing and reform can have on people’s lives. It is why I am proud
to be a part of a Palaszczuk government that is for social housing, for helping Queenslanders rent or
buy their home, and for helping each other out when we are at our most vulnerable. Today’s budget is
one that reflects our collective ambition, one that is focused on cost of living, health and housing for
every Queenslander.

To see the speech, click here: https://tv.parliament.qld.gov.au/?reference=0Mba20230613_095520