Immediately pursue extension of the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness

The Victorian Government is working with the Commonwealth Government, states and territories to develop a coordinated response to the complex challenges in housing and homelessness. This includes discussions regarding future funding for homelessness under the proposed National Housing and Homelessness Agreement.

The Victorian Government has consistently advocated for adequate, long-term Commonwealth funding for homelessness, particularly during interjurisdictional meetings between Housing and Homelessness Ministers and associated senior officials.

The Victorian Government called on the Commonwealth to provide a new agreement beyond the 2015–17 agreement in ministerial meetings in 2016.

In October 2016, the Premier led a delegation of experts from the Victorian family violence sector to attend the COAG Summit on reducing violence against women and children in Brisbane. At the summit, the Premier advocated for national reform on family violence and highlighted the progress Victoria is making on implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence, particularly those with national implications.

At their December 2016 meeting, COAG agreed to provide a one-year extension to the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness to 30 June 2018

In its 2017 Budget, the Commonwealth announced that from 1 July 2018 the National Affordable Housing Agreement and National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness would be replaced by a single National Housing and Homelessness Agreement. The proposed agreement will include a permanent extension of funding for homelessness.

The Victorian Government is working with the Commonwealth and other states and territories to ensure the proposed new Housing and Homelessness agreement meets the needs of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including women and children experiencing family violence.

This recommendation is implemented.