Monday, 11 August 2008

Homelessness

I attended a forum on Homelessness in the Hunter organised by Newcastle Young Labor at the Newcastle Trades Hall tonight.

Speakers included Andrew Scholfield and Elise Briggs from the Salvation Army, Robert Coombs State MP for Swansea and Tanya Plibersek Federal MP (Minister for Housing & Minister for the Status of Women).

The event was well-attended, though the only local government representatives or condidates to attend were myself and Councillor Keith Parsons.

The event was advertised as:
This forum will provide the general public with the opportunity to contribute to a Homelessness Plan for Newcastle.


Unfortunately, this wasn't the case.

After a very good outline of the local situation from Andrew Schofield and Elise Briggs, the audience was given a badgering, "we're doing lots" from the State MP and a heartfelt outline from the Federal MP, a few questions were taken before the event dissolved.

No opportunity for anyone to contribute to a Homelessness Plan for Newcastle.

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