vulnerable DVA clients, including exploring how case coordination can link DVA clients who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness into specialised homelessness services. Homelessness is a complex issue that tends to be associated with a range of factors, such as housing crisis, family breakdown, alcohol and/or substance use disorder and mental health issues. the unique and complex circumstances which can lead to homelessness, it is appropriate that specialised homelessness services provide these services to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including former members of the ADF. These services have trained staff and have met state government requirements to be a registered homelessness provider. It is noted that the States and Territories are funded by the Commonwealth to provide social housing in their respective jurisdictions. Rather than adopting the program proposed in the recommendation, the Government will instead: convene a meeting of State and Territory Ministers with responsibility for veterans’ affairs to address homelessness in the veteran community; require Commonwealth agencies to identify whether its clients are veterans and to make that information available to ex-service and other organisations which provide support for homeless veterans; work with the States and Territories to support a comprehensive nationwide study that brings together work already undertaken to obtain a thorough understanding of the extent of veteran homelessness and what all levels of government can do to address it; and encourage States and Territories to ensure that the provision of social housing for homeless veterans is prioritised, As noted above, the Government will continue to consider how to meet the needs of those clients who have both complex psychosocial needs and mental health issues, including through case coordination and referral to specialised homelessness services and other supports where needed. Our nation owes a great debt to those who have put their lives on the line for us and it is therefore essential that the community supports veterans who find themselves homeless or at risk of homelessness. Minority Recommendations Minority Recommendation 1 That Defence and DVA report annually to the parliament on the of mental health’ of ‘state current and former ADF members including data on the rates of mental ill-health, homelessness, incarceration, suicidality, neurological conditions and any other issues or indicators relevant to instances of mental ill-health amongst defence personnel. Government Response Partly Agreed The Government agrees to an annual Ministerial statement to Parliament on key issues impacting upon the veteran community and the performance of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. This will be a transparent process which will measure the performance of the Department and increase accountability to the veteran community.
vulnerable DVA clients, including exploring how case coordination can link DVA clients who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness into specialised homelessness services. Homelessness is a complex issue that tends to be associated with a range of factors, such as housing crisis, family breakdown, alcohol and/or substance use disorder and mental health issues. the unique and complex circumstances which can lead to homelessness, it is appropriate that specialised homelessness services provide these services to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including former members of the ADF. These services have trained staff and have met state government requirements to be a registered homelessness provider. It is noted that the States and Territories are funded by the Commonwealth to provide social housing in their respective jurisdictions. Rather than adopting the program proposed in the recommendation, the Government will instead: convene a meeting of State and Territory Ministers with responsibility for veterans’ affairs to address homelessness in the veteran community; require Commonwealth agencies to identify whether its clients are veterans and to make that information available to ex-service and other organisations which provide support for homeless veterans; work with the States and Territories to support a comprehensive nationwide study that brings together work already undertaken to obtain a thorough understanding of the extent of veteran homelessness and what all levels of government can do to address it; and encourage States and Territories to ensure that the provision of social housing for homeless veterans is prioritised, As noted above, the Government will continue to consider how to meet the needs of those clients who have both complex psychosocial needs and mental health issues, including through case coordination and referral to specialised homelessness services and other supports where needed. Our nation owes a great debt to those who have put their lives on the line for us and it is therefore essential that the community supports veterans who find themselves homeless or at risk of homelessness. Minority Recommendations Minority Recommendation 1 That Defence and DVA report annually to the parliament on the ‘state of mental health’ of current and former ADF members including data on the rates of mental ill-health, homelessness, incarceration, suicidality, neurological conditions and any other issues or indicators relevant to instances of mental ill-health amongst defence personnel. Government Response Partly Agreed The Government agrees to an annual Ministerial statement to Parliament on key issues impacting upon the veteran community and the performance of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. This will be a transparent process which will measure the performance of the Department and increase accountability to the veteran community.
Australian%20Government%20Response%20Senate%20Inquiry%20Mental%20Health.docx