PRESS RELEASE:
Homelessness No. 1 National Emergency
“Home is where the heart is”
To: Bill Shorten (Labor Opposition Leader) Scott Morrison (Coalition Prime Minister)
c/- Parliament House Canberra, cc. the Australian people
Date: 14/5/2019
From: Homeless Lives Matter Contacts: Susan Carew
homelesslivesmatter@worldpeacefull.com
Subject: Homeless Lives Matter! Why I am not voting in the Federal Election
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
‘We the People’ are Launching the Not-For-Profit organisation called HOMELESS LIVES MATTER.
It is the first advocacy for homeless people started by people with lived experience.
Given there was no mention of the homeless in the budget or election campaign, we have decided to commence crowd funding to raise money in what we call ‘a Public Interest Budget’. This allocation is for a housing fund to start to provide shelter to those most in need. It is critical that they are not on the streets in winter as many can die or suicide. It is outrageous that it is allowed to happen. Recently Notre Dame was burned down and within a few days millions of dollars was donated for the restoration of a building, not the restoration of human lives. What is more important homeless lives or a building?
There are two opportunities to support Homeless Lives Matter on 16-17th May 2019. We will walk on the People’s Hill (City Hill) in reflection and then on Friday walk to the People’s House to make homeless lives visible, as follows:
Thursday 16 May 2019: At 4pm-6.00pm a Walking Meditation for the Homeless City Hill ( People’s Hill)
We are inviting the public and homeless to participate in a walking meditation to walk in the shoes of the Homeless on City Hill, Canberra between 4.00pm-6.00pm on 16th-17th May 2019 running up to the election. You are welcome to join us to Advance Australia Fair as a show of unity.
City Hill is Canberra’s Heart Centre it is the People’s Hill and it forms one side of the Parliamentary Triangle which represents balance. We want City Hill to become the People’s Light on the Hill and in the style of the traditional Greek agora (founders of Democracy) we can gather to discuss issues that affect the public interest.
We walk and hold a light to remember the 116,000 Homeless people who are the most resilient, courageous and true survivors living in a world they feel no longer cares. They feel they failed and are shamed for being homeless.
Friday 17 May 2019: Gather at 3.30pm at fountain outside Canberra Theatre, ACT– Walk to People’s House
We are inviting the public and homeless to gather on Friday 17 May at 3.30pm (for 4pm) at the fountain outside Canberra Theatre to walk to Parliament House (along the footpath) to make Homeless Lives visible.
Did you know that homeless people cannot vote because they do not live in any electorate? They don’t have a fixed address. They do not have representation. They are stateless. They are refugees in their own country.
The Homeless experience third world conditions as they can only afford: cheap food, cheap rent in substandard conditions, couch surf or sleep rough. They are denied Universal human rights, vulnerability attracts bullying, injustice and criminalisation. They are socially isolated and suffer loneliness. Homeless people cannot even activate a mobile sim card for a phone because they do not have a fixed address. Homeless people not on Centrelink cannot access concessions or any homeless services. They are outside the system. They live in a reality that is not democratic. That is why the vote and a voice is critical for their health and safety.
Homelessness is likely to grow. It is estimated that unemployment may rise to 40% given Smart Cities, IT technology and trialling Artificial Intelligence to use robots to replace people. So many more could wind up unemployed and homeless. It is an issue for all Australians.
Australia is a signatory of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, notable articles are as follows:
Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. (Surveillance due to robodebt)
Article 4: No one shall be held in slavery or servitude, slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms. (Work for the Dole is forced, you cannot say ‘no’ due to a compliance framework)
Article 5: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
(I was told I am in unequal partnership with Centrelink, refused superannuation to be used for food).
Article 7: All are equal before the law…and are entitled to equal protection of the law…
(no access to legal aid based on criteria, perception of winning and must be registered with Centrelink)
Article 13: Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State.
(Homeless are stateless, Centrelink indicates you must live in a populated area even when homeless)
Article 18: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought… (Disagreement [or dissent] can be ignored or vilified)
Article 19: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression…without interference…
(Cut off Centrelink due to conscientious objection and likely due to my report (Compliance or Democracy?)
Article 22: Everyone…has the right to social security…
(Cut off Centrelink for conscientious objection to rorting by Job Providers)
Article 23: Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. (Job Providers force jobs, jobs casualised with less conditions)
Article 25: Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for their health and wellbeing…
(Newstart is below the poverty line and homelessness is a barrier to accessing services)
There is no Minister for the Homeless although there is a new portfolio for a Minister for Defence Industries (representing foreign multinational companies) with a budget of $200 billion over 10 years. Some veterans are homeless given their PTSD trauma.
The agencies funded to assist the homeless are involved in a market not a service. They are privatised and do not get paid if a person has no money (not on Centrelink). This means a person who goes to a Refuge has to pay for a bed and discovers there is a waiting list. It is not always safe. How does this Advance Australia Fair? How does this give a Fair Go to the poor?
Privatisation of the public sector services is a vital issue that has not been discussed in the public interest. It is not efficient in meeting the real needs of the homeless or vulnerable given the profit motive. Large multinationals are taking over public sector responsibilities. They are private, not accountable to the Australian public, they sign non disclosures agreements (privacy) and are contracted in public/private partnerships (PPPs). The Trans Pacific Partnership Agreements (TPPA) means that if a company has its contract cut they are able to sue the Government (Australian people). This has implications for those advocating for the most vulnerable as they may raise issues of abuses, being cut off income support, protest or whistle-blower. This can be said to affect profits and they could be criminalised. So does this Advance Australia Fair?
What is your VOTE?
LINKS:
Email: homelesslivesmatter@worldpeacefull.com (removed second name for privacy)
Homeless Lives Matter page: https://ha.worldpeacefull.com/homeleshome-less-lives-matter/
Video message ‘Homeless Persons Do Not Vote – A Message to Politicians and the Public’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4fduMIQhJs&feature=youtu.be (Worldpeacefull Empowerment)
Homelessness and Voting :http___www.aphref.aph.gov.au_house_committee_em_elect07_subs_sub135 (1)
S. Carew Submission to Senate Inquiry: Report ‘Compliance or Democracy’ Submission for Job Providers Inquiry re Compliance or Democracy S Carew latest
Civil Manifesto of REAL HOPES which expresses my policy for a re-new-able future. https://ha.worldpeacefull.com/be-kind/poetry/
My book ‘A Fool for Peace’ is my story and contribution to society. It provides solutions.
CLICK: https://www.academia.edu/27265551/A_Fool_for_Peace_1_A_FOOL_FOR_PEACE_A_Fool_for_Peace_2
OTHER e-BOOKS: https://www.worldpeacefull.com/author/
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________