‘Support for Brisbane residents experiencing homelessness’ rally at 1 William St, Brisbane

A crowd of protesters have gathered at government offices in Brisbane in support of people experiencing homelessness who have recently been kicked out of the city’s parks.

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A crowd of protesters blocked the doors of government offices in Brisbane in support of people experiencing homelessness, hitting out at the lack of support for those sleeping rough.

Demonstrators gathered on Friday for the ‘Support for Brisbane residents experiencing homelessness’ rally at the base of 1 William St, Brisbane.

Those that attended the rally included former Brisbane City councillor and protest organiser Jonathan Sriranganathan, Federal Greens candidate for Moreton Remah Naji, as well as Greens Brisbane City Councillor for the Gabba ward Trina Massey.

The rally was organised as a “peaceful protest against the inhumane treatment of Brisbane residents experiencing homelessness”.

The protest comes after Brisbane’s homeless camps were ordered to shut down after a recent directive made by Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

A crowd of protesters have gathered at government offices in Brisbane in support of people experiencing homelessness who have recently been kicked out of the city’s parks.

Cr Schrinner said council now knew the vast majority of those living in the camps – particularly at hotspots like Musgrave Park and Kurilpa Point near the Gallery of Modern Art — had been offered safe accommodation but had declined it.

Protesters also took aim at the State Government calling for support for those in need of housing, as well as funding for more public housing in the face of billions of dollars being spent on venues for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Mr Sriranganathan said the location of the demonstration – in front of the offices of government departments including the Department of Housing and Public Works – was about sending a pointed message.

“We are angry that the government and this entire system that treats housing is leaving people on the street, is leaving people in severe crisis,” he said.

“The state government claims it doesn’t have the money to build more public housing while spending billions and billions of dollars on Olympic venues.

“The LNP are living in fantasy land if they think they can ignore this issue.

“We need stronger renters’ rights, more investment in public housing, supported accommodation for people with complex needs, and a clear commitment that the government won’t move on people who have nowhere else to go.

“They shouldn’t be wasting any money building new stadiums while so many people are sleeping on the street and struggling to keep a roof over their head.

“It is f***ing disgusting what this government has done to people.”

Irene Schynol, who has been homeless for four years and lives in a car in Caboolture, said she is still waiting to get into public housing.

Irene Schynol, who has been homeless for four years and lives in a car in Caboolture, said she is still waiting to get into public housing.

“I was given a piece of paper for this room and it hasn’t been available for six to 12 months,” she said.

“I feel like I’ve been fobbed off.

“I have a chance to be fined $800 to $8000 if I’m caught sleeping in my car, because it is classed as camping.”

Ms Schynol, who is a retiree, said she has been actively looking to get into housing.

“I spend two to three hours a day, most days during the week, looking for rentals in different places,” she said.

“People have been told that hundreds of people are given places and are not taking it, well that is not entirely true.

“There are so many people out there that are sleeping rough, that have nowhere to go.”

The protest concluded at about 1.30pm on Friday.

Originally published as ‘Support for Brisbane residents experiencing homelessness’ rally at 1 William St, Brisbane