Pretending to pass a law that pretends to fix things A fine read by Nick Cater on a government turning sanctimony into law - a true artifact of this preposterous Age of Seeming: If you're looking for hand-wringing symbolism, however, a statement that says merely, "I feel your pain," it is hard to beat the Homelessness Bill 2013, that is solemnly progressing through parliament and could be law by the end of the week. Indeed "law" may be putting it a little strongly, for this is an instrument with no legislative purpose, other than to proclaim that the government's heart is in the right place. Full marks to the Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Mark Butler, for keeping a straight face during his second reading speech. "This bill," he told the house, "is aimed at increasing recognition and awareness of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness." That is all there is to this spineless, sanctimonious statute - enlarged recognition and awareness raising. Its passing will be without consequence; homelessness will be as miserable an experience as it has always been, and the chances of finding a home will not have improved one jot. The act comes with no funding and no specific measures. Indeed, since homelessness is almost entirely a state concern, there is little the commonwealth can do except wring its hands and dole out money if it has any, which it hasn't.