Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart will contribute $200million towards emergency accommodation for homeless veterans in one of the nation’s biggest-ever philanthropic donations.
The mining magnate said that the money would go towards buying suitable buildings to house veterans, including hotels, motels and apartment blocks.
‘I am pleased to confirm that Hancock Prospecting is committing $200million to help struggling veterans after their service to our nation,’ Ms Rinehart said.
She was compelled to act after learning that 5,800 veterans experience homelessness annually – nearly three times the rate of the general population, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
‘The housing crisis, a crisis made critical by government approvals and permits delaying new housing and the ability to extend houses, high government taxes adding to costs, and record high immigration causing hosting shortages, has affected many Australians,’ Ms Rinehart said.
‘But maybe not enough are aware that more than 6,000 of our veterans are now sleeping in the streets.
‘This is unacceptable. I hope that others will also actively and generously help to lessen this tragedy.’
Ms Rinehart urged state and federal governments to reduce duplication and repurpose surplus office space into rent-free accommodation for homeless veterans.
Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart is spending $200million to house homeless veterans in one of the nation’s biggest ever donations
They include currently unused or hardly-used military barracks, such as Western Australia’s Leeuwin and Irwin facilities.
‘Currently around 80 percent of new jobs are taxpayer funded, with our already record debt, record business failures, too high taxation, rising costs and interest rates, expanding the bureaucracy is not sustainable,’ Ms Rinehart added.
‘We cannot afford this extra layer of duplicated federal government. States have the same departments, for instance such duplication includes, agriculture, environment, the arts, plus minerals and fishing up to the 12 nautical mile limit, these federal departments must close and leave the states to manage the rest with their existing duplicate departments
‘The empty offices could help to house rent free homeless vets, with more rooms available for those suffering from violence or abuse and needing safe places, or struggling Aussie pensioners.
‘Yes more curtains, crockery, cutlery, bedding, bathrooms, and some kitchens would need to be included, the reduction in the salaries of thousands of federal bureaucrats, could be put to good use, plus renting out spare offices if possible, could also bring income. Many businesses would benefit, supplying the foregoing.’
Ms Rinehart has already contributed $10million towards Sir Valston Hancock House, a South Perth complex providing emergency accommodation to homeless veterans.
In less than two years, the refurbished units have provided 3,500 nights to veterans who would otherwise been on the streets.
‘The program has delivered thousands of nights of safe accommodation, supported veterans into employment, reconnected individuals with their families, and most importantly, helped people rebuild their lives,’ Australian Air Force Association WA Michelle Fyfe said.
‘Sir Valston Hancock House works because it is more than housing. It is part of an integrated model of care, connecting accommodation with advocacy, health services, employment pathways and long-term housing solutions.’
