Mr. Michael Carey:

First, I suggest that a business approach to solving this problem can be a very valid approach to providing a structure and a level of professionalism that can focus on results. A business process can apply to any social issue. Perhaps business people get a bad press sometimes for some of the ways they behave. I do not believe a professional management approach to solving this problem is inappropriate. I think the structures and processes that apply to running a business well can apply in this case. I intend to apply those standards.

The Deputy asked me about some of the previous comments that have been made. I have considerable sympathy with the substantial numbers of people who are affected by the issue of homelessness.

Huge numbers of people are impacted by the issue of homelessness. It is not normal and should not be acceptable. It should not be assumed to be the way things will always be. It is wrong that we have this problem and it should be fixed using a mix of solutions. Public housing is, unquestionably, a very significant part of the solution. The private sector has a major role to play in delivering some of the necessary outcomes. They need to be appropriately aligned with the right targets.

The issue of affordability of housing is one of the biggest challenges facing the country today. There are still major issues around the cost of building and around the use of land and how that is managed. I hope that I can influence thinking in a way that gets the results and the sort of outcome that everybody wants. I do not think having a business approach means that one cannot have sympathy for, or a genuine understanding of, the problems associated with homelessness. That professional approach is the right way to do it. It needs to be done in the right environment.