Talk to: Kevin Rudd Prime Minister of Australia - The Homeless Issue

The new Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd has taken an interest in homeless people and homelessness. He seems pretty serious about contributing and not satisfied with the way things are in Australia right now.

So, it's unfolding that he is actually serious about homelessness in Australia and has lit a bit of a fire up the behind of all involved - service providers, donors and is wanting to get real change and movement on homelessness in Australia.

This thread is an invitation for you to post your comment and have it read by Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia... those he appoints to conduct research or inquiries into homelessness... those given the money he is offering to inject into the right areas to make a difference for homeless people.

Kevin Rudd may even register in the forums as a member and give a shout out hello to us and let us know he is listening to Australia's homeless.

Then again, while all this supposed upcoming change and money gets flung around current and formerly homeless people may be kept out of the conversation. Innovative service providers could be ignored as the old guard get more money to do the same old thing that doesn't work.

It's up to you. Say what needs to be said now because the conversation is happening right now, right here and people are listening. What do you have to say? Or do you give your voice to the what we have already is fine club?

I'm going to prepare a letter to Kevin Rudd, expressing my opinions. I'm going to take him seriously and offer my opinions and insights. I don't expect him to take me seriously or have any regard for my opinion because I think I'm somebody important, I'm not. I'm just going to be daring and hope that he would read my letter and consider my opinion.

That is what this thread is about. Be daring together with me and offer your insight and opinion from your perspective. Everyone is invited... current and formerly homeless people, service providers, students, people who are 'just interested' everyone!

It's up to you. Say what needs to be said now because the conversation is happening right now, right here and people are listening. What do you have to say? Or do you give your voice to the what we have already is fine club?

Given this is a world wide forum, non-Australians are welcome to comment as your insight is equally valued.

Given this is a world wide forum, non-Australians are welcome to comment as your insight is equally valued.


Thank you Dominic.

Being here in gloomy London and half a world away from you guys in Sunny Australia I would like to say:

Firstly, l'd like to offer my congratulations to Dominic for making this opportunity available for the Australian homeless people. We all know that these forums are read by many influential people, even if they do not care to admit to it.

Secondly, as far as your prime minister Kevin Rudd is concerned, I truly hope that his intentions are sincere on this matter, and that he sees it as a unique and worthwhile opportunity to show a progressive way forward, not just for Australians, but for all nations that would dare to find the courage to follow his example. The entangled issues of homelessness are extremely complex, and it would take more than a magic wand to find an instant solution to those issues. I wish you every success Prime minister.

Finally, I would urge all of our members to participate in a responsible manner to what Dominic has opened up for us. Tell it as it is by all means .. but let us be courteous and tackle the real issues concerning homelessness, and not use this historical (?) occasion to hurl insults at anyone.

Hi,

I think this is a great idea for a thread, thanks Dominic, the media has definitely been reporting lately that our Prime Minister is concerned about the situation for homeless persons in Australia. I don't think the majority of the population really cares about the homeless at all, which is part of the reason Kevin's predecessor did nothing. Of course we cannot just do nothing while people suffer in such a prosperous nation, but our politicians have had a pretty good crack at it so far.

I actually live in Kevin Rudd's electorate. I hope that Kevin talks to the right people about what's the best plan of action for positive change. He needs to talk to community stakeholders, and the people who work on the front line with homeless people, not the policy makers who have no idea what the real world is like. You talk to any homeless person and they'll tell you what services aren't being provided that they need. I was involved in the "National Inquiry into Homelessness" last year, I believe that inquiry has finished taking submissions and the report is in progress (please correct me if I'm wrong), so when that report comes out I think the outline of the situation currently and any recommendations that are made need to be very seriously considered by Kevin Rudd and his team. I was lucky enough to be interviewed by several of the "inquirers" and was able to voice my concerns about the situation for homeless (especially young) people and state where I think the major holes in the system are, and many other homeless people also had the same opportunity, so that's one way that the government can really hear the homeless in Australia through a formal process. I was also extremely impressed with the questions and understanding of the "inquirers" so completely trust them in representing the homeless accurately, and as the report was created last year it's still very current. So, Kevin, make sure you read that report.

I also believe that there are major holes in the mental health and drug and alcohol sectors in australia, and very limited services provided to address these issues, which has a huge impact on the number of homeless individuals. In late 2005/6, as a 17yr old female homeless on the streets of Brisbane, and trying to just stay alive with dual mental illness and drug addiction, I believe that I was not given the opportunities I desperately needed to make positive changes to my life and to escape the hell that is homelessness, deppression, and addiction.

As a homeless young person under eighteen years I have only accessed one service not youth specific, the first shelter I was "sent" to by a youth service, and the experience of living in accomodation not designed for young people was frightening for a young girl. It was in this shelter I first self-harmed, and I felt more isolated than out on the streets, so I learned early on that to get my needs met and get any support at all really I would need to access youth-specific services (funded for under 25s only). I don't believe that it is helpful to offer homeless young people help that is designed for adults, as these different groups of homeless people often have very different requirements for support. But at the time I went to an adult shelter, it was because all of the youth shelters were full.

In late 2005/6 I had been homeless for some time and found myself in a under 18yrs drug detox for the second time about to be "released" with nowhere to go, I had run out of supportive youth shelters to stay at in Brisbane (you stay for a few days or so and then can't come back for 3 mnths with most) and on the streets without many accomodation options, especially as I had never received centrelink payments because it was my word against my mums, even though I had been homeless for years and applied twice, I worked at maccas for a while but couldn't keep it up on the streets, and I had been trying to access free counselling and been on a waiting list for 6mnths and was now incredibly suicidal and self-harming, just hanging onto life by the fingertips.

My options (as I'm not indigenous or a DOCS kid) - go back onto the streets as I'd just about exhausted my shelter options, go to rehab as I'd already detoxed twice and hadn't managed to keep sober on the streets, or go to hospital. Although I was suicidal enough to qualify, hospital isn't a good option at all for somebody who really just needs support to stop being homeless, and I really didn't want to go from detox right back to the streets. So that leaves rehab, which would have been great as I really needed some extra help in fighting addiction, but there's almost no u/18 specific rehab or detox services in Queensland. Actually for u/18 girls in Queensland, there's one 11 day detox in brisbane and one rehab in Mackay. If you're a kid whose lived in Brisbane all your life, like me, it's not likely that you're going to go to Mackay and leave all of your support networks, besides that they often have no spaces, there's only one in queensland. And you just cannot expect a young girl with ptsd from the streets to live with men 8yrs her senior, which would be expect in rehabs for under 25yrs. So I went back on the streets. I ended up using regularly again and was eventually arrested for possession, and developed post-traumatic stress disorder to add to my depression and anxiety, the ptsd caused from my experiences whilst homeless. Luckily within a couple of weeks a youth worker pushed me to try just about the only shelter in Brisbane I could access at the time, I moved in there, and saved my life. I ended up living there for a year, going to detox a third time, getting centrelink, antidepressants and counselling, and finally moving out at the beginning of 2007 to start living independantly off the streets for the first time.

But I was just lucky, very fortunate that I managed to get into the final shelter, very lucky that I had excellent support workers during my time there and actually stayed and didn't go back to the streets. I'm sure I would be dead today without that last shelter.

Unless you're an addict you'd have no idea how powerful addiction is for some or how much strength you have to gather to cope with life as a street kid. It makes me frustrated that I was sitting in detox ready to give up every coping strategy I had for a life free of drugs, and that is a huge thing for a kid to do, but I was not given the opportunity. It's just not good enough to have one Mackay based rehab specific for u/18s in Queensland (there's actually one for only males and one for only females) or just one detox, and when that's full people don't even have the option of going to Mackay or have to wait months to go to detox, as I did. PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN POLICING but I was denied rehab and then arrested for possession. That does absolutely nothing to stop me using drugs. Police can't be everywhere at once, and if we concentrate mainly on stopping supply of drugs and arresting users we will lose the battle, the USA has already down that path. We need to bring in measure now to address addiction and mental illness. We're not going to positively change the homeless situation in Australia if we just provide more accomodation, or set up "Headspace" dual-diagnosis centres, or provide more free counselling. Homelessness is a result of all these issues, and not just about needing somewhere to stay.

So I think that the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd or whoever is working to improve the situation for those on the streets really needs to listen to the service providers who have no funding to provide their services, listen to the young people who aren't getting their needs met and have no options, listen to the adults who have been trapped in the homeless cycle for years and years, they are the people who have the knowledge to really bring about positive change for the Australian homeless population in the long term.

I hope Kevin Rudd really does have the interest in the disadvantaged that he portrays, and he and his government do take steps towards building a better Australia for everyone, we're relying on him. Because these are real people, real lives, that are in his hands.

(NB: I'm not presenting this as some Mondays expert with all the answers, but rather to provoke thought and reflection.)

I think homelessness needs to be addressed on (at least) four broad fronts.
And I don't mean just by the government.

The
* Economic front
* Social Front
* Cultural front.
* Preventative front.

The Economic front is the easiest of the fronts.
It is therefore often treated as the only front, and then when it fails, used as proof that there is just no helping "them".

The Social front is the social isolation, this is not just confined to people living on the streets, it's everywhere and getting worse every year.
You have open social isolation, and hidden isolation which takes the form of loneliness. This front will be the hardest one to crack I think.

The Cultural front, this is the stereotype of "the homeless".

The Preventative front, stop making new homeless people. Some causes will be very easy to prevent, others will be much harder.

Regards,
Konstantin

DoCS (http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/docs-tragedy-exposed/2008/02/10/1202578600913.html) is in the news again. Problems there feed into the long term homeless population and impact generations of homeless people.

I first learned of 'DoCS' on the streets of Brisbane back in the mid nineties, when their problems were making their way interstate. Later in Queensland the equivalent department went though a few department name changes and portfolios... then the Forde inquiry. Today... I'm surprised DoCS is still in so much trouble (and still has the same name!?).

The flow on effect on the streets of DoCS stuff ups is how do you put it - proportionally significant? Cause and effect!?

This is a great idea Dominic I hope more people post here regarding this.

I hope Kevin Rudd is serious about this issue because it is something that has for too long been ignored, pushed aside or had the buck passed with little to no prevail.

As Konstantìn said there is more than one front that need to be addressed when looking at this issue.

Many of the service departments here in Australia lack the care and concern about what they are working for and treat everything as numbers and figures rather than people who need help.

Its not hard to see that this is a growing problem just walk down the streets of any major city and open your eyes a little.

We live in Australia where helping one another is such a part of our history and sadly that Digger Mentality is slowly dying and greed and self obsession are becoming more important than the people around you.

If Kevin Rudd truly proposes to address this issue seriously I hope he takes some time to get out and talk to the people who need help so it is no longer an "agenda" but something that means something and will strike a chord in him to truly act.

In regard to government services here in Australia you need to look into accessability to those who truly need it, you have people who have nice houses and have lived of the system for years without any problems then you have someone who is in need of help to prevent homelessness or are currently homeless and the system stuffs them around. Why isnt there a priority system for emergency situations like this and case workers who are able to help them from the get go and not when they hit rock bottom.

As for DoCS the government really needs to fix things up there too.

Hope all goes well with this Dominic and he should listen to you and it would be great if he joined the boards and get a real idea of what homeless people go through.

I'd like to give a shout out to the Homeless Person's Information Service (http://forums.homeless.org.au/showthread.php?t=443) run by the City of Sydney as one of the best services I've come across. Brilliant concept and well executed. It's a great service that should be the model for duplication in every capital city.

I know I started a different but quite interconnected post earlier on (2020 Summit (http://forums.homeless.org.au/showthread.php?t=2262)) but have only just got to this is a great thread. What wonderful, sensible and inspiring posts. Very strategic and informed. Let's hope Kevin Rudd's era will see these ideas put into action, and the proper support to be boosted.

Hello Dominic,

Well done with all your comments on this forum. If only more people like you worked in these so called homeless organisations the government funds to help the homeless.

I only just 5 minutes ago started writing to Kevin Rudd to be redirected after writing half my story to a yahoo website. Letter lost! I did not press any buttons it just automatically did it. I was that annoyed I just havn't bothered. I may try again but too pissed to begin again.

So be aware of this to anyone intending on using the email to contact Rudd, it may be more useful to send to Canberra by registered post. that way he will have to recieve it if not even read it.

I was successful today in renting a $400 house over a hr away from my childrens school and $100 later in petrol to work. Hanover Cheltanaham in Victoria were unkind and heartless bitches who need to be shot! They assisted myself and 3 children for 2 wks and left us homeless after not accepting a transition house for up to 3 mths to share with another family. Yes my children living in a house with strangers and their friends coming and going.

I have since complained to a housing advocacy service to report them. The motel they wanted to send us was dirty, full of drug addicts and ripped curtains that didn't close for privacy. Through the kindness of the Chadstone Executive Motel they accepted us and I convinced the Hanover Service they can not make me return to the motel they recommended! After 2 wks I was left to use the only good back I have to clean approximately 40 rooms plus with the help of my children to pay for half the bill for accomodation 2 wks later. I finally have just paid off the motel bill and got my own house after many tears and a very sore back!

The housing crisis is pathetic and I wonder what is ahead for my children coming from a single parent family due to their father resorting to drugs to deal with his problems.

So good luck with your letter, I have read this problem has just been growing every year and our new government will do just as much as the last one. Nothing!





The new Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd has taken an interest in homeless people and homelessness. He seems pretty serious about contributing and not satisfied with the way things are in Australia right now.

So, it's unfolding that he is actually serious about homelessness in Australia and has lit a bit of a fire up the behind of all involved - service providers, donors and is wanting to get real change and movement on homelessness in Australia.

This thread is an invitation for you to post your comment and have it read by Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia... those he appoints to conduct research or inquiries into homelessness... those given the money he is offering to inject into the right areas to make a difference for homeless people.

Kevin Rudd may even register in the forums as a member and give a shout out hello to us and let us know he is listening to Australia's homeless.

Then again, while all this supposed upcoming change and money gets flung around current and formerly homeless people may be kept out of the conversation. Innovative service providers could be ignored as the old guard get more money to do the same old thing that doesn't work.

It's up to you. Say what needs to be said now because the conversation is happening right now, right here and people are listening. What do you have to say? Or do you give your voice to the what we have already is fine club?

I'm going to prepare a letter to Kevin Rudd, expressing my opinions. I'm going to take him seriously and offer my opinions and insights. I don't expect him to take me seriously or have any regard for my opinion because I think I'm somebody important, I'm not. I'm just going to be daring and hope that he would read my letter and consider my opinion.

That is what this thread is about. Be daring together with me and offer your insight and opinion from your perspective. Everyone is invited... current and formerly homeless people, service providers, students, people who are 'just interested' everyone!

It's up to you. Say what needs to be said now because the conversation is happening right now, right here and people are listening. What do you have to say? Or do you give your voice to the what we have already is fine club?

Given this is a world wide forum, non-Australians are welcome to comment as your insight is equally valued.

Prime minister Kevin Rudd will have no choice but to address these problems , as they can no longer be ignored.Homeless does not just affect the so called down and out, youth or abuse. The system is systemic in this regard and poverty is becoming the norm. This is a man made process that goes far back in history and continually perpetuated by the elite, who have no or very little conscience .untill it actually effects those who don:t have to or want to give it a thought. I have tried to bring some meaningful conversations with family and friends , they generally do not want to confront this even in discussion.Let alone do anything to help the situation The greater the greed and abuse , the greater the problems will be !The law of opposites dictate this, cause and effect, and vice a versa Kevin Rudd is the only politician I have heard speak of the balance. and he is accused of double speak, He has some of the guts we need from politicians worldwide, but ultimatly up to the people , as the government is representative of the people for the people.

Dominic,

I believe you are the first person who mentioned this (homeless...houseless) and if only people are paying attention, that is the key in solving this social problem.

Worldwide homeless is increasing rapidly. And with the current worldwide state of the economy, the cost of energy and food shortage, I believe homelessness could get worst unless the right strategy is implemented.

I am a former runaway from 12 years old, earned my high school diploma and college degree with accounting as my major. I immigrated to the U.S. about 25 years ago and my hardwork paid off with good jobs, a business, two homes and a beautiful family.

My lifetime research and experiences shows that there is no effective strategy to bring homelessness to a halt. Lack of an effective strategy is costly in terms of wasted lives. Lack of proper education means long term unemployment. Lack of long term employment means crime, drug abuse and ultimately, mental breakdown.

Nearing my retirement and with blessings from my family, I recently established a consulting firm to offer strategies that have never seen in any community, city, state and country.

To compliment my research and experiences in Asian countries, the lower 48 states and some Wester European countries, I resigned my job as an accounting manager to get an employment with a well known private institution to gain knowledge on drug abuse/s, depression, suicidal people, abused children and those whose parents are unable to control them.

A few benefits of using my strategies are as follows:

- on a long term basis, the funds/budget provided by the government would gradually decrease
-the shelters or any established facilities for the homeless would only be used as a temporary processing center
-homelessness would be resolved by attacking both ends of the problem
-numerous programs would be created to tailor fit each individual with the objective of giving them real life, high moral values, inspiration to bring the best out of them (particularly the youth); turn their lives around completely and help me turn everyone else's life around

The best part of my strategy is combining two or more issues at the same time. In this case, crime and homelessness. It would bring the feeling of safety at home and in public places.
My 25 years of life and travel in the United States will simply keep the young people on their toes, keep them out of boredoom, non-productivity, depression and drug abuse. I would like to see them happy, productive and able to have a happy family of their own in the future.

The best part of your homelessness program is the sincere attention of your government leaders, in this case Prime Minister Rudd.

Ultimately, it is the objective of this strategy to minimize the funding and size of this social problem to neglible.

I am in the process of writing a letter to your Prime Minister and hopefully he would be interested.




The new Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd has taken an interest in homeless people and homelessness. He seems pretty serious about contributing and not satisfied with the way things are in Australia right now.

So, it's unfolding that he is actually serious about homelessness in Australia and has lit a bit of a fire up the behind of all involved - service providers, donors and is wanting to get real change and movement on homelessness in Australia.

This thread is an invitation for you to post your comment and have it read by Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia... those he appoints to conduct research or inquiries into homelessness... those given the money he is offering to inject into the right areas to make a difference for homeless people.

Kevin Rudd may even register in the forums as a member and give a shout out hello to us and let us know he is listening to Australia's homeless.

Then again, while all this supposed upcoming change and money gets flung around current and formerly homeless people may be kept out of the conversation. Innovative service providers could be ignored as the old guard get more money to do the same old thing that doesn't work.

It's up to you. Say what needs to be said now because the conversation is happening right now, right here and people are listening. What do you have to say? Or do you give your voice to the what we have already is fine club?

I'm going to prepare a letter to Kevin Rudd, expressing my opinions. I'm going to take him seriously and offer my opinions and insights. I don't expect him to take me seriously or have any regard for my opinion because I think I'm somebody important, I'm not. I'm just going to be daring and hope that he would read my letter and consider my opinion.

That is what this thread is about. Be daring together with me and offer your insight and opinion from your perspective. Everyone is invited... current and formerly homeless people, service providers, students, people who are 'just interested' everyone!

It's up to you. Say what needs to be said now because the conversation is happening right now, right here and people are listening. What do you have to say? Or do you give your voice to the what we have already is fine club?

Given this is a world wide forum, non-Australians are welcome to comment as your insight is equally valued.

I came here to post a link to FATHER BOB MCQUIRE whom I have been in conversation with ...
There is a young man there at his site using pod.cast about BOB and his work and web site describes Bob's Foundation and the work he and his friends do , mostly in Melbourne but Bob 's dreams and visions extend way beyond .He works with corporate and private funding ...any way if you are interested visit the website ..
There are people being taken care of as we speak..

I am too cynical to believe that Rudd will do anything more than talk. He attended the 5th national conference on homelessness in Adelaide in May, met a couple of homeless people, held a baby, said the situation was 'obscene', and buggered off back to Canberra.

After doing some investigating I have discovered that the reason public housing in SA is in such a disgraceful state is because of a debt owed to the federal government.
Housing SA runs at a loss because of this debt, and have sold off 30% of it's housing stock in order to service the loan.
I am a rough sleeper, and the minister for housing in SA cheerfully informed me that I could be waiting 2 years for public housing.

So I wrote to Rudd. I explained my situation and asked if, because of the multi-billion dollar surplus in the budget, the debt owed by Housing SA might please be written off therefore allowing them to do what they are supposed to do - house people.
That was a couple of months ago and I'm still waiting on a reply.

The state government here can give a soccer stadium 100 million$, but cannot give anything to public housing.
We have a labour government and the public systems here are falling apart - health, education, transport, and housing.

I will believe that Rudd is serious, and that he actually gives a damn when I see something positive being done!

My lifetime research and experiences shows that there is no effective strategy to bring homelessness to a halt. Lack of an effective strategy is costly in terms of wasted lives. Lack of proper education means long term unemployment. Lack of long term employment means crime, drug abuse and ultimately, mental breakdown.

Where is your data to back up this statement?


Nearing my retirement and with blessings from my family, I recently established a consulting firm to offer strategies that have never seen in any community, city, state and country.

Would you like to share these 'strategies' with us? After all we are the people that your alleged strategies would be used by.


To compliment my research and experiences in Asian countries, the lower 48 states and some Wester European countries, I resigned my job as an accounting manager to get an employment with a well known private institution to gain knowledge on drug abuse/s, depression, suicidal people, abused children and those whose parents are unable to control them.

If this private institution offers assistance with the things that you listed, why would they employ some-one who has no knowledge of them?


A few benefits of using my strategies are as follows:

- on a long term basis, the funds/budget provided by the government would gradually decrease
-the shelters or any established facilities for the homeless would only be used as a temporary processing center
-homelessness would be resolved by attacking both ends of the problem
-numerous programs would be created to tailor fit each individual with the objective of giving them real life, high moral values, inspiration to bring the best out of them (particularly the youth); turn their lives around completely and help me turn everyone else's life around

Could you expand this a bit please?
Can you define a 'real life'?
What type of 'high moral values' do you mean?
What do you mean by helping you to turn around everyone elses life? Are your alleged strategies based on the people you 'help' then having to join you and impose your standards on others?


The best part of my strategy is combining two or more issues at the same time. In this case, crime and homelessness. It would bring the feeling of safety at home and in public places.

Can you explain that a bit more too?
Homelessness doesn't neccesary equal crime, so does that mean that if a homeless person doesn't commit crimes than you aren't interested in them?


My 25 years of life and travel in the United States will simply keep the young people on their toes, keep them out of boredoom, non-productivity, depression and drug abuse. I would like to see them happy, productive and able to have a happy family of their own in the future.

How will your life keep others on their toes? Why do you think that young people will look up to you instead of just being bored with having to listen to you telling them what to do?
What about those who have no desire to have a family? Those people who are quite happy to be on their own?
If these people have their own ideals and standards that don't agree with yours will you then ignore them?


The best part of your homelessness program is the sincere attention of your government leaders, in this case Prime Minister Rudd.

You should do a bit more research, while there is a lot of talk, there isn't much - if any - action.


Ultimately, it is the objective of this strategy to minimize the funding and size of this social problem to neglible.

In the first part of this post you said - 'My lifetime research and experiences shows that there is no effective strategy to bring homelessness to a halt' - but now you say that your objective is to make it negligable

I don't mean to be rude, but you haven't actually said what your strategies are and to be perfectly honest your post has a very patronising tone to it.
It comes across as though you are saying that you know better than others, and that you alone know what has to be done to 'solve' this issue.
You also seem rather arrogent in your assumption that you would keep young people on their toes, that you would make them productive, that you could make them stop/not start using drugs, that you can cure depression.
I would think that young people would avoid you like the plague, that you would appear to be one of those people who thinks they have all the answers and demands that no-one questions you.

Again, I don't mean to offend you, but you seem to have very unrealistic ideas.
I would genuinly be interested to read about your strategies if you would post them here.