Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie has threatened to name a school in her state where a child was allegedly raped unless the state government helps the child's homeless family.
Single mother Elaine, whose name has been changed to protect her daughter's identity, quit her job to look after her two children after her then-seven-year-old girl was allegedly sexually abused by another student at school.
They have been unable to afford a private rental on Elaine's carer's payment, and despite last year being placed on the priority public housing waitlist, have been left couch surfing.
Speaking in the Senate late Tuesday, Senator Lambie said the situation was "bloody shameful".
"This is how bad things are with social housing in this country," Senator Lambie said.
"A kid gets raped at school, the state government can't stop the family from becoming homeless. It's not good enough."
Senator Lambie also described Premier Peter Gutwein's response as "bloody shameful" and said she had been handballed around different state MPs who told her it was "not my problem".
"Well, it's your bloody problem now," she said.
"You don't want me back up here (in the Senate) in August and start naming a few things and a few people and that school. This is your warning — you get this fixed."
People assessed as most in need of public housing in Tasmania can expect to wait an average of 62.5 weeks.
Premier says Housing Minister will reach out
At a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Gutwein said the Education Department and Housing Tasmania were supporting the family.
"I don't want to comment specifically on individual cases, but I do know that both Education and Housing have been engaged," he said.
Communities Tasmania has been contacted for comment.
The ABC first reported on Elaine's plight in December last year, shortly before the family became homeless.
Her two children have intellectual disabilities and have been unable to return to school.
After Elaine reported the allegations, the education department offered the family specialist counselling, online learning and other services, as well as a year-long pass to a local zoo.
Elaine said she had been left in "absolute disbelief" at the response.
Tasmania Police closed the file without laying any charges.
