Senator RONALDSON (Victoria—Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC and Special Minister of State) (14:28): As the senator well knows, homelessness in this country is funded by both the state and the Commonwealth government as part of housing agreements. I think the shadow minister is aware of that. The issue of homelessness is an issue for many Australians, not just homeless veterans, but my department works with the VVCS in relation to counselling, in relation to short-term accommodation for homeless veterans. The trouble is, when you try to make a political point by just pulling out one aspect of what is a very significant issue, you do not do yourself any justice. The real issue about veterans' homelessness is that this is the end of the process. What I am determined to do and what the government is determined to do is address those matters that lead to homelessness. That is why we have a full suite of— Senator Moore: Mr President, I rise on a point of order and it is on direct relevance to the question. The question particularly relates to data held by the minister and also the ongoing links with the returned soldiers. I understand the minister has been building up to the answer, but, with 44 seconds to go with his answer, could he draw his attention to it? The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Moore. I remind the minister he has 44 seconds within which to answer the question. Senator RONALDSON: The interjection was that talking about early intervention matters is fluff. According to the opposition, that is fluff. Quite frankly, it is not fluff and this is a very significant issue. We are working to ascertain the level of homelessness of veterans in this country, but, as I said before, we are going to address those core issues which lead to homelessness—that is, mental health—with a whole range and a suite of options available for veterans now which are part of an early intervention program, and many of these veterans are suffering some form of mental health issue. We are going to try and intervene before they get to that stage and we are indeed doing the appropriate work to see how many are homeless. (Time expired)