Brendan Nottle starts walk to Canberra to tackle homelessness

THE Salvation Army’s Brendan Nottle today made the first step of a journey of 700km to Canberra seeking a plan to tackle homelessness.

THE Salvation Army’s Brendan Nottle today made the first step of a journey of 700km to help the homeless.

Major Nottle is walking from Melbourne to Canberra to raise $200,000 and to ask the Federal Government to draw up a plan to tackle homelessness and its causes.

The journey will take 40 days and he will visit towns on the way to hear first-hand how homelessness affects their communities.

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Major Nottle said homelessness wasn’t even mentioned during last year’s election.

“Homeless people are the forgotten people of our community. They’re the voiceless. “

Major Nottle said he hoped to meet Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Canberra.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten launched the walk.

Salvos leader Brendan Nottle preparing for the walk last month. Picture: Tony Gough

Brendan Nottle with Bill Shorten at the start of the walk to Canberra.

He said the support for Major Nottle showed what was great about Melbourne as it brought companies, unions, emergency services and the people together.

He said Canberra needed “a kick up the backside” over its inaction on homelessness.

“It is ridiculous that we don’t have enough money to do something about homelessness.

“I’m optimistic we can make a difference.”

Major Nottle left the Salvos Bourke St headquarters with Mr Shorten heading to the Exhibition Building as the Salvos band played the theme from Rocky.

A public petition has also been created in support of a national strategy to address the causes of homelessness.

Major Nottle said he hoped for 105,237 signatures — one for every person experiencing homelessness now.

walkthewalk.org.au

@IanRoyall