Callous homelessness policy condemned
QCCL President Michael Cope today condemned the decision of the Moreton Bay Regional Council to evict homeless people from parks with a public camping ban
Everybody needs a place to sleep. One method of torture is to deprive people of sleep. This puts into context what is done when we use the right of property, be it public or private to stop people sleeping. This is in fact an issue of freedom; of liberty. It is a case where the rules of property operate to deprive people of their freedom.
People experiencing homelessness are young and old, live in families and as individuals, and belong to all races, cultures, and creeds. But unsurprisingly the burdens of homelessness fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable in our society
Mr Cope says, “In our view it is entirely possible to acknowledge and balance the issues facing local governments with the humanity and dignity of homeless people. No doubt the council should be able to deal with the hazards posed by camps, such as the risk of disease associated with living outside with inadequate toilet and washing facilities, the risk of fire from camp fires and harassment of those passing by.”
“In our view as long as there is no option of sleeping indoors, the government must not criminalize, homeless people for sleeping outdoors, on public property,” says Mr Cope
The Mayor, Mr Flannery is quoted as saying some homeless people had been offered accommodation but turned it down due to having stairs or a poor location, or lacking bedrooms or air conditioning[1]. This is not the same as saying that all people camping in parks have been offered, let alone have access to a place to sleep.
Even where shelter is unavailable, laws prohibiting sitting, lying, or sleeping outside at particular times or in particular locations eg on paths could well be acceptable. Finally camps that have been demonstrated by appropriate evidence to be particularly dangerous from a health or violence perspective could be removed on the giving of appropriate notice and an opportunity to improve the situation.
“Excluding people who must live their lives on public land from it is a callous and tyrannical exercise of power by a lucky majority against a minority of their less fortunate fellow human beings.” says Mr Cope
For further information contact Michael Cope President QCCL on 07 3223 5939 during office hours and at all times on 0432 847 154 3 March 2025
[1] The Guardian 1 March 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/01/queensland-council-moreton-bay-park-camping-ban-homelessness-ntwnfb