CORONAVIRUS — HOMELESSNESS
105. Hon STEVE MARTIN to the Leader of the House representing
the Minister for Health:
I refer to the government's
rough sleeper action plan and media reports that a homeless person who has been
staying at a CBD shelter has tested positive to COVID-19.
(1) Can the minister outline what conditions would
have to be met to trigger the implementation of the action plan?
(2) How many beds
would be made available under the action plan?
(3) What
resources would the Department of Health make available to implement the plan?
(4) Is there a regional
component to the action plan?
(5) What are the
current vaccination rates for the homeless population in Perth?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The action plan is owned and managed by the
Department of Communities. Health advises that consideration is given to
the risk impact of compounding triggers whilst having regard to the specific
circumstances of the event and overall public health risk. This may include,
but is not limited to, the number of infections in the community, exposure
sites and geography of concern, any lockdown restrictions and directions in
place, any positive cases within the rough sleeper communities and
identification of rough sleepers as close or casual contacts.
(2) This question
should be directed to the minister representing the Minister for Homelessness.
(3) Health will
provide resources proportionate to the circumstance and broader operating
environment, including the number of community cases.
(4) This question
should be directed to the minister representing the Minister for Homelessness.
(5) The
Australian Immunisation Register does not record current housing status as part
of the COVID-19 vaccination process.
Unfortunately, this means that the WA COVID-19 vaccination program cannot
provide data on the coverage rate for people experiencing homelessness.