The New South Wales government offered a homeless man, Mark Hudson, a flight back to New Zealand instead of temporary accommodation, despite him having permanent residency in Australia. The offer, costing taxpayers $1,797, was part of efforts to clear a homeless encampment following a baby's death. Hudson, who has since been offered accommodation, criticized the approach as "bully tactics."
The case highlights potential systemic failures in providing adequate support and housing for vulnerable individuals, including those with permanent residency status, and raises questions about the effectiveness and cost of government interventions in addressing homelessness.
The New South Wales government paid for a homeless man, Mark Hudson, to be sent back to New Zealand instead of offering him temporary accommodation, in an attempt to clear out residents from a homeless encampment by a river in Wagga Wagga. The local council and state government have been trying to clear the encampment for months, particularly after a newborn baby died in May when its mother gave birth to twins in a tent.
Advocates reported that residents have faced increasing pressure to move on, including requests for compliance and potential fines of up to $1,100. The council denied fining people based on their location.
Mark Hudson, 53, stated he has permanent residency in Australia and is therefore entitled to temporary accommodation. He arrived 18 years ago but lacks the necessary visa verification. Despite this, Homes NSW repeatedly offered him a flight to New Zealand, a country he has not lived in for over 18 years. Hudson described the pressure as constant, with an officer asking him multiple times if he wanted the flight.
This week, a flight was booked for him to Sydney and then Auckland at a taxpayer cost of $1,797. However, the international flight was canceled by the airline. Hudson, who has a girlfriend in Wagga and is preparing to take custody of his granddaughter, remained in Wagga with his dog.
On Friday, after Guardian Australia contacted the NSW government, Hudson was offered accommodation, which he is expected to move into next week. He expressed a desire to stay in Wagga and criticized the approach as "bully tactics."
A spokesperson for Homes NSW confirmed that travel costs, including airfares, are among the support options available. The spokesperson stated that Homes NSW has been working with Hudson, a New Zealand citizen, who had initiated discussions about returning to New Zealand where he has family. The agency added that if he decides not to return, they will continue to work with him to find alternative accommodation, noting he is not eligible for social housing.
In April, a Guardian Australia investigation highlighted the death of Bikram Lama, a former international student who died at a Sydney train station while sleeping rough, exposing a gap in support for individuals who lose their visa status or cannot prove permanent residency. To access social housing in NSW, residents typically need to prove permanent residency, often through Centrelink payments. Hudson had previously received Centrelink payments for six months before they were cut off. New Zealand citizens on special category visas are entitled to emergency housing.
Housing advocate Timothy Verhoef called the government's offer of a flight before housing a failure, noting that $1,700 was spent with no resolution and that the problem was merely being moved. Hudson, who worked as a truck driver and farm manager in Western Australia before moving to Wagga, had been living in a tent by the river for nearly two years after being unable to find work, relying on family, charities, and public showers. Verhoef also criticized the council, state government, and local authorities for not collaborating on substantial solutions, merely pushing a narrative of addressing the issue.