Ms Anna Walsh:

I suggest that an holistic approach to this whole level of debt is needed. The implications of someone becoming homeless should be costed. All of the costs should be assessed. Consideration should be given to the schooling implications for children of homelessness. Who will house people the morning after they are made homeless? The mortgage to rent scheme is about to be abandoned. We have to look at some of these things. It was intended as a short-term arrangement anyway. We need to consider longer-term solutions. If the type of client we are discussing is about to be made homeless and no other options are available to him or her, we have to revisit the mortgage to rent scheme. As it stands, the scheme is not fit for purpose. Senator Hayden spoke about separated couples. Where is the equality for a family if a judgment is imposed on the family home because one of the separated partners has deserted that home? Such a home is immediately deemed to be unsuitable or ineligible for the mortgage to rent scheme. We need to re-examine many possible initiatives. Overall, we have to take an holistic approach to this matter.