Clover Moore stands firm against Gladys Berejiklian’s warning to move Martin Place tent city

UPDATE: Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned Lord Mayor Clover Moore that if council continues to refuse to act on Martin Place tents, the state will be “forced to do so” — but she is standing firm.

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PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian has warned Lord Mayor Clover Moore that if council continues to refuse to act on the Martin Place tent city, the state will be “forced to do so”.

The Daily Telegraph understands that while the government would prefer to not resort to it, the option of using the Crown Lands Act court process to obtain warrants and break up the camp remains on the table.

Other potential legal avenues that do not involve a lengthy process and warrants being issued are also being explored.

In response, Ms Moore this afternoon said she was “calling on the Premier and Minister to do their job and provide services and supported housing for homeless — especially at the start of National Homeless Week”.

“I will not support moving on homeless without certainty they have support and permanent homes to go to,” she said.

“That isn’t politicking, it is doing my job to support society’s most vulnerable, as my community expects.”

A wheelchair sits outside tents for homeless people during the night in Martin Place. Picture: AAP

The Premier’s warning to council follows an extended stalemate during which both sides have refused to accept ultimate responsibility for the situation.

Each has pointed to the other as being the necessary catalyst for action.

A slogan is written on steps next to the are where tents used by homeless people sit in Martin Place. Picture: AAP

On Friday, Ms Moore issued a list of demands that she wanted met in return for her considering using council’s power to confiscate property in Martin Place, which would not extend to evicting people themselves.

When the state stopped short of meeting those demands, she said more discussion was needed.

Ms Berejiklian today said the government was “exploring all options available to it to resolve this issue”.

A pair of feet stick out of a tent used by a homeless person at Sydney’s tent city. Picture: AAP

“It has become increasingly clear that Clover Moore has no interest in resolving this issue and serving her ratepayers, but would rather play political games,” she said.

“We call on councillors of the City of Sydney to do their jobs and move against this blatant act of politicking at their council meeting on Monday night.

“If they don’t act, the NSW Government will take appropriate action to resolve this issue for the homeless people and the people of Sydney.

“The NSW Government should not be required to do the job of council, but in extreme circumstances where the Lord Mayor will not do what is required and uses public property and people’s lives to make a statement, we may be forced to do so.”