Submission in response to the Exposure Draft of the Homelessness Bill 2012

In this submission, HPLS maintains the importance of a rights-based framework for legislating the recognition and definition of homelessness and homelessness services. HPLS calls for the legislation to at least require homelessness services to meet basic human rights standards when delivering assistance to people in need. The submissions also expresses concern about the stated objects of the legislation, which appear so limited that they deliver no measurable or identifiable benefit for people who are homeless. HPLS calls for explicit recognition of key human rights for homeless people, and the need for homelessness services to deliver services in manner which is compatible with these rights. The submission also calls for the establishment of an effective complaints mechanism for homeless people when they have concerns that services have breached their human rights obligations.