Rachel asked a question on behalf of a constituent, who supports residents with disability at a Supported Independent Living (SIL) facility in Noble Park. With state funding for SIL set to run out at the end of this year, the future of accommodation and employment for these residents and their support workers is uncertain.
Wednesday the 29th of October, 2025
Victorian Legislative Council
Rachel Payne (South-Eastern Metropolitan):
My constituency question is for the Minister for Disability. My constituent is a resident of Noble Park. He works in disability support at the local supported independent living facility, or SIL. With the state subsidy for the SIL set to expire at the end of this year, my constituent holds grave concerns for the future of vulnerable residents in Noble Park. Fifty-nine group homes across Victoria have already closed, and a further 580 are at risk. This threatens the homes of nearly 5000 Victorians and the jobs of 7500 support workers. This presents severe consequences for community health and requires immediate action to prevent service collapse. My constituent reported that requests from the Health and Community Services Union, HACSU, to meet with the minister have been denied.
So, my constituent asks: will the minister urgently collaborate with worker representatives to protect Noble Park SIL residents?
Written response pending.
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