Housing commission nightmare in Bundaberg prompts calls for urgent action

Australia’s leading anti-hate campaigner has questioned how graffiti including a swastika was allowed to be left on a notorious Bundaberg social housing complex.

Experts have questioned why a Bundaberg family was told not to paint over graffiti at their South Bundaberg social housing complex while swastika graffiti has been allowed to remain.

When Samarah Davis shared the story of her public housing nightmare with the Bundaberg NewsMail, she pointed out the offensive graffiti in the grounds, which included swastikas.

While the family made efforts to buy paint and cover the various graffiti in the complex, their input was later met with a caution that it could threaten their tenancy, Ms Davis said.

Dr Dvir Abramovich, Anti-Defamation Commission chairman and Australia’s leading anti-hate campaigner who has been spearheading a national campaign to criminalise the public displays of the Nazi swastika, said it was horrifying that children were being allowed to view symbols of hate in a place of residence.

Dr Dvir Abramovich from the Anti-Defamation Commission has questioned why hate symbols are being left where families live. Picture: David Geraghty

“Is sickening neo-Nazi vandalism that can be seen by families and children not enough to warrant a speedy response from the government?” he said.

“Good on those individuals for painting over this ultimate emblem of evil since no one should be confronted with this symbol of genocide.

“Let’s remember that is not just vandalism by depraved and cowardly individuals — it is an attack on all of us and on our core values, and I share the outrage that Samarah Davis with partner Dylan feel right now.

“It is a painful reminder that white suprematism is alive and well in our country and this filth, invading our streets is, unfortunately, becoming part of a disturbing trend.

“Nazi swastika graffiti is an open and public declaration of racial hatred and we collectively we must reject these ugly acts.”

Opposition spokesman for Housing Tim Mander wants the Premier to admit there’s a social housing crisis. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Premier must admit to a housing crisis

The state opposition is calling for Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to admit the public housing situation is at crisis level.

Opposition housing spokesman Tim Mander said the family’s story was heartbreaking and accused the government of giving up.

“It’s completely unacceptable for that family to experience this living hell,” he said.

“After three terms in office, Labor has given up on listening to Queenslanders.

“The Palaszczuk Government needs to admit there is a social housing crisis in this state.”

Mr Mander said many facets of social housing were in trouble, including availability.

Samarah Davis was told it would take up to three years or more to be moved to a safer location.

“The number of people across the Wide Bay looking for social housing has soared by 160 per cent in some areas in just five years,” he said.

“This is because the state government has failed to plan and deliver enough social housing across the region.

“Too many vulnerable Queenslanders are trapped in Labor’s social housing backlog.”

A Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy spokesperson said they were unable to comment on individual cases.

“But (we) work proactively with all customers in addressing their housing needs,” they said.

“The vast majority of Queenslanders living in social housing do the right thing, are good neighbours and contribute positively to their communities.

“Social housing tenants, like all tenants, have rights and responsibilities.

“Tenants need to look after their home and be good neighbours.

“Our Fair Expectations of Behaviour policy includes a focus on early intervention when tenancy related matters arise, including referrals to services and supports to help sustain the tenancy.”

Mr Mander called for immediate steps to be taken, such as the release of freehold land and making social and affordable housing a priority.

“Immediate steps must be taken by the State Government to address the housing crisis in Queensland,” he said.

Mr Mander also called for the government to unlock the housing sector to allow community groups to better assist.

“These organisations are ready made to help house the vulnerable,” he said.

“If we empower them, and allow them to leverage housing stock, they can help put a roof over the head of vulnerable Queenslanders.”

Samarah Davis with partner Dylan and son Hunter are living in terror at their Bundaberg public housing unit.

Law-abiding families feel helpless

Following the Bundaberg NewsMail’s story, other families who have suffered similar circumstances in public housing across the state but who were too afraid to be named for fear of reprisal, said action was urgently needed.

One Queenslander told the NewsMail they had been left with the costs of fixing their home after it had been ransacked by criminals, while others told of having to flee from drug use and crime among social housing communities.

Just like Samarah Davis and her young family, other residents have also hit a wall in trying to seek support.

“Those people need to be held accountable for what they do,” one person said.

“The police should charge them and housing should evict them if they are charged with a crime.

Samarah Davis and her family made efforts to paint over offensive graffiti in their social housing complex, but say it comes back the next day. They have since been cautioned that they could be breaching their tenancy by painting over offensive symbols.

Data shows crime cluster over notorious housing complex

Police data has shown a crime “cluster” in the Goodwin St area of Bundaberg South.

In the past two years, 1285 crimes have been reported in the suburb, with drugs, theft and traffic offences ranked highest.

There were 98 recorded assaults and 116 cases of property damage.

Clusters show high levels of crime reported on Goodwin St and the southern end of Targo St.

Bundaberg West, reported 1353 crimes in the same time period. Good order offences were the highest cause of police reports.

Bundaberg North, in contrast, recorded 805 offences in the past two years, with traffic, drugs, assault and property damage all listed.

Bundaberg East logged 856 offences in a two-year period, with drugs, traffic and theft among the top culprits.