Homeless make way for world’s most powerful leaders

BRISBANE will roll out the welcome mat for world leaders arriving today for the G20 but the treatment of homeless in the city could not be more different.

Charis Chang

@CharisChang2

2 min read

November 12, 2014 - 2:15PM

Colour from the Remembrance Day cermony at Anzac Square. There was a heavy police presence ahead of the G20. Pic by Luke Marsden.

BRISBANE will roll out the welcome mat for world leaders arriving today for the G20 but the treatment of homeless in the city could not be more different.

South African president Jacob Zuma was the first of the leaders to jet in this morning for the global economic conference, which has seen security amped up around the conference zone.

Those who work closely with the homeless have been trying to find alternative accommodation for their clients during the summit, which will see large parts of the city designated “security areas” as well as restricted access and military style checkpoints in South Bank’s exclusion zone.

During the event more than 6000 police will patrol the area in a $100 million security operation that will also see 900 soldiers deployed with another 1000 on standby.

There will be huge disruption to those living and working in the area but residents in the restricted sections can get reimbursed for the cost of alternative accommodation while the event is on. A special public holiday has also been declared on Friday for those who work in the area.

For those who are homeless, they are being assisted by charity organisations who are helping them to find alternative accommodation outside of the area.

Roby Curtis, ministry co-ordinator of Blind Eye Ministries, estimated that a few hundred would be impacted in areas like West End.

“It’s pretty obvious that they don’t want the riff raff around which is fair enough but where the summit is happening are some of the poorest areas in Brisbane,” Mr Curtis told news.com.au.

He said that at least one man who sought help yesterday at the drop in centre, which is located within the exclusion zone at South Brisbane, had complained about his treatment.

“He said he was getting moved around, getting harassed,” he said.

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma (left) is greeted by Queensland Premier Campbell Newman at Brisbane Airport this morning. Picture: AFP/Steven Holland

The streets are empty in restricted areas. Picture: Peter Wallis

Charities have been raising money since early this year to provide accommodation for homeless people, who may find it difficult securing low-cost alternatives while the G20 is on, and could be left feeling vulnerable because of the massive police presence.

There has also been suggestions they are being given transport cards and money to encourage them to move on.

When asked about whether these rumours were true, a spokesman for Queensland Police said: “Homeless people are residents of Brisbane, and are not considered a threat to G20 security.

“The QPS has no intention to forcibly remove anyone, homeless or otherwise, who live in the declared area, with the exception of people who appear on the Prohibited Persons List.”

The police’s external engagement team is also liaising with community groups and peak bodies in both Brisbane CBD and South Bank, to ensure that homeless people still have access to relevant services like Blind Eye Ministries, which is located within the exclusion zone.

Mr Curtis said there were police everywhere and many homeless had already left the area.

“We’ve been very quiet, we’ve only seen about five or six people because we are in the exclusion zone.”

Security will be even more strict for the Leaders’ Summit this weekend