Today’s hearing starts with sparring between MPs over the tabling of leaked documents outlining funding cuts for an emergency housing program.

The Immediate Housing Response (IHR) program places people in need of housing rooms in a motel or hotel, with Labor housing spokesperson Meaghan Scanlon questioning a $42 million drop in 2026-27.

Department of Housing and Public Works director-general Mark Cridland confirmed the program was helping 1237 households, a drop from 2150 in March 2025.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Sam O’Connor.Jamila Filippone

“Overall, our specialist homelessness services have been able to transition … 3252 households into a housing solution from IHR,” he said. “The most common outcomes were to public housing, to private housing, to community housing, and to supported accommodation.”