A harsher eligibility criteria and new obligations for emergency housing come into effect today.  

Now anyone staying for longer than a week,  will have to make reasonable efforts to get other housing.  

Those caught not meeting responsibilities could face a 13 week stand down.  

Former welfare expert advisory group member Phil O'Reilly told Mike Hosking there's a delicate balance between people needing to be treated well in an emergency - but not milking the system.  

He says there's always going to be some losers out of that, and we can expect to hear some tragic stories.  

But he thinks the Government's on the right track by making sure emergency housing, is about emergency.  

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