Contents

Part 1--Preliminary                                                                                                                2

1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 2

2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 2

3............ Definitions .......................................................................................... 2

4............ Definition of homeless ........................................................................ 3

5............ Object ................................................................................................. 4

Part 2--SAAP Agreements                                                                                                7

Division 1--Form of SAAP agreement                                                                7

6............ Form of SAAP agreement ................................................................... 7

Division 2--Matters dealt with by form of SAAP agreement                  8

7............ Responsibilities of service providers .................................................. 8

8............ Key matters to be dealt with in form of agreement ............................ 8

9............ Services dealt with by form of agreement ........................................... 9

10.......... Services not to be dealt with under SAAP ....................................... 10

11.......... National SAAP Co-ordination and Development Committee .......... 10

12.......... National data collection system and national research program ....... 10

13.......... Services may be general or specific ................................................... 11

14.......... Evaluation ......................................................................................... 12

15.......... Outcomes .......................................................................................... 12

16.......... Division not to limit generality of section 6 ..................................... 12

Division 3--SAAP agreements                                                                              13

17.......... SAAP agreements ............................................................................. 13

Part 3--Grants under SAAP Agreements                                                                14

18.......... Grants of financial assistance ........................................................... 14

19.......... Repayment of grants ........................................................................ 14

Part 4--Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Homelessness               15

20.......... Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Homelessness ................. 15

21.......... Function of CACH ........................................................................... 15

22.......... Remuneration and allowances ........................................................... 16

23.......... Disclosure of interests at meetings ................................................... 16

24.......... Member's appointment to be terminated for non-disclosure of interests                17

25.......... Resignation ....................................................................................... 17

Part 5--Regulations                                                                                                             18

26.......... Regulations ....................................................................................... 18

Notes                                                                                                                                             19

An Act relating to financial assistance to the States, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory in connection with the jointly-funded program known as the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program ("SAAP"), and for related purposes

Preamble

This Preamble sets out considerations taken into account by the Parliament of Australia in enacting the law that follows.

The Parliament recognises the need to redress social inequalities and to achieve a reduction in poverty and the amelioration of the consequences of poverty for individuals.

Homeless people form one of the most powerless and marginalised groups in society. Responses to their needs should aim to empower them and to maximise their independence. These responses should be provided in a way that respects their dignity as individuals, enhances their self-esteem, is sensitive to their social and economic circumstances, and respects their cultural backgrounds and their beliefs.

Australia has acted to protect the rights of all of its citizens, including people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, by recognising international standards for the protection of universal human rights and fundamental freedoms through:

      (a)    the ratification of the International Covenants on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and on Civil and Political Rights; and

      (b)    the ratification of the Conventions on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and on the Rights of the Child; and

      (c)    the acceptance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women; and

      (d)    the enactment of legislation such as the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986.

Legislation relating to homeless people should include a focus on the provision of appropriate support to meet the individual needs of the clients of the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program ("SAAP") and on their right to an equitable share of the community's resources.

It is essential then that the community has the opportunity to be involved in the development of policies relating to, or impacting on, people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Accordingly, the Parliament intends that, under the law that follows, the Minister should establish an advisory committee drawn from members of the community with:

      (a)    relevant expertise in, or experience of, homelessness; or

      (b)    an understanding of the principal issues affecting homeless people; or

      (c)    other relevant expertise or experience.

The Parliament intends that the Commonwealth Government should work co-operatively with State and Territory governments to ensure that people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness are given opportunities to redress their circumstances and that their universal human rights are not prejudiced by the manner in which services are provided to them.

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

  

Notes to the Supported Accommodation Assistance Act 1994

Note 1

The Supported Accommodation Assistance Act 1994 as shown in this compilation comprises Act No. 162, 1994 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

Table of Acts

Act	Number and year	Date of Assent	Date of commencement	Application, saving or transitional provisions
Supported Accommodation Assistance Act 1994	162, 1994	16 Dec 1994	16 Dec 1994
Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act 2009	70, 2009	8 July 2009	Schedule 3 (item 93): 5 Aug 2009	--

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted    am. = amended     rep. = repealed   rs. = repealed and substituted
Provision affected	How affected
Preamble............................	am. No. 70, 2009