Mr MITCHELL - 1994-08-31
Mr Speaker, as the minister is aware, the federal government's young homeless allowance has created some concern in the community, particularly among parents who believe that the allowance encourages some young children to leave home prematurely. Parents' main concern in this regard is that their children can receive financial assistance from the Department of Social Security while no other government agency, be it federal or state, is empowered specifically to look after their welfare. Can the minister advise whether that situation has improved?
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I expect that most members would have received representations from constituents who are concerned about the Commonwealth's young homeless allowance. It has attracted some controversy. A particular concern of parents is that, given that children are aware that they can obtain the allowance without reference to their parents, the federal government may be encouraging children to run away from home. Yesterday, we discussed at length in this House the problems of alcohol consumption among young Territorians.
Given some of the problems that parents face in providing guidance to their children, it is fair to consider that this allowance has militated against their capacity to have adequate influence over their children, particularly those who have decided that they have the capacity to leave home, obtain support and live independently. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some young people have enjoyed comparatively easy access to the allowance and this financial incentive has often acted as an enticement for disgruntled young people to leave home. The Commonwealth has claimed that it provides the homeless allowance only in extraordinary cases, but it is clear that an increasing number of young people are leaving home to live independently. Obviously, they are at risk.
My personal view is that the best place for young people is at home. While we agree that the home provides the best option for most young people, there are tragic cases where family relationships have broken down irretrievably and other circumstances where young people are at risk in their own homes. In those circumstances, we can understand that there may be no opportunity other than for the young person to leave home. We have to live with those circumstances, but the onus is on my department at least to pursue family reconciliation as the first and most important step. I believe we have to reinforce the family unit and that this youth allowance has not assisted us in that regard. At the same time, the Commonwealth has an equal responsibility to provide income support for homeless and unsupported children under 15 years of age in circumstances where the child is unable to live at home.
One of the major issues facing the Department of Social Security is its legislative inability to breach the privacy of these children and refer at-risk clients to state and territory welfare agencies such as our Department of Health and Community Services. In the past, my department may have been unaware of these children who simply have left home and gained the allowance. Consequently, they have not had access to the services and support that the department might provide. Most importantly, they have forgone the opportunity for the department to work for a reconciliation with the parents so that the child can re-enter the home and the family unit. That should be of concern to all of us.
I am pleased to say that the Territory government has rectified this situation by becoming the first state or territory to establish formal protocols with the Commonwealth to improve services to young homeless people. The recent signing of this protocol will ensure that the Department of Social Security will now refer cases involving those under 15 years to the Department of Health and Community Services for assessment and case management. In effect, the new protocols provide a safety net for young homeless people where no such support existed previously. The new guidelines also provide some relief for concerned families who, prior to these new arrangements, suffered in silence with no news about their child's whereabouts.
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One of the my department's primary objectives when dealing with young homeless people will be to encourage reconciliation in the family if at all possible. While the new protocols will not necessarily solve the problems of homeless youth, the agreement will go some way towards providing protection for them when no adult guardian is looking out for their interests. As the first state or territory to enter into a formal agreement with the Commonwealth on this matter, I am particularly pleased that the Territory government has moved quickly to introduce this mechanism. I am sure that it will be of benefit to young Territorians and I hope that it reinforces the strength of the Territory's family units.
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Page 115
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I expect that most members would have received representations from constituents who are concerned about the Commonwealth's young homeless allowance. It has attracted some controversy. A particular concern of parents is that, given that children are aware that they can obtain the allowance without reference to their parents, the federal government may be encouraging children to run away from home. Yesterday, we discussed at length in this House the problems of alcohol consumption among young Territorians.
Given some of the problems that parents face in providing guidance to their children, it is fair to consider that this allowance has militated against their capacity to have adequate influence over their children, particularly those who have decided that they have the capacity to leave home, obtain support and live independently. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some young people have enjoyed comparatively easy access to the allowance and this financial incentive has often acted as an enticement for disgruntled young people to leave home. The Commonwealth has claimed that it provides the homeless allowance only in extraordinary cases, but it is clear that an increasing number of young people are leaving home to live independently. Obviously, they are at risk.
My personal view is that the best place for young people is at home. While we agree that the home provides the best option for most young people, there are tragic cases where family relationships have broken down irretrievably and other circumstances where young people are at risk in their own homes. In those circumstances, we can understand that there may be no opportunity other than for the young person to leave home. We have to live with those circumstances, but the onus is on my department at least to pursue family reconciliation as the first and most important step. I believe we have to reinforce the family unit and that this youth allowance has not assisted us in that regard. At the same time, the Commonwealth has an equal responsibility to provide income support for homeless and unsupported children under 15 years of age in circumstances where the child is unable to live at home.
One of the major issues facing the Department of Social Security is its legislative inability to breach the privacy of these children and refer at-risk clients to state and territory welfare agencies such as our Department of Health and Community Services. In the past, my department may have been unaware of these children who simply have left home and gained the allowance. Consequently, they have not had access to the services and support that the department might provide. Most importantly, they have forgone the opportunity for the department to work for a reconciliation with the parents so that the child can re-enter the home and the family unit. That should be of concern to all of us.
I am pleased to say that the Territory government has rectified this situation by becoming the first state or territory to establish formal protocols with the Commonwealth to improve services to young homeless people. The recent signing of this protocol will ensure that the Department of Social Security will now refer cases involving those under 15 years to the Department of Health and Community Services for assessment and case management. In effect, the new protocols provide a safety net for young homeless people where no such support existed previously. The new guidelines also provide some relief for concerned families who, prior to these new arrangements, suffered in silence with no news about their child's whereabouts.
Page 116
One of the my department's primary objectives when dealing with young homeless people will be to encourage reconciliation in the family if at all possible. While the new protocols will not necessarily solve the problems of homeless youth, the agreement will go some way towards providing protection for them when no adult guardian is looking out for their interests. As the first state or territory to enter into a formal agreement with the Commonwealth on this matter, I am particularly pleased that the Territory government has moved quickly to introduce this mechanism. I am sure that it will be of benefit to young Territorians and I hope that it reinforces the strength of the Territory's family units.
Page 117
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016