September 06, 2014
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Federal Member for Grayndler
MEDIA RELEASE
PEOPLE DON’T MATTER TO THE LIBERALS
Mike Baird
is treating public housing tenants at Millers Point with no respect as he
proceeds with his plan to sell nearly 300 public housing units for windfall
financial gains and evict up to 600 tenants.
Tomorrow
I’ll meet elderly female tenants facing eviction under the Baird sell-off plan
at a forum at Millers Point organised by the Women in Public Housing committee.
I am told
that three out of five of the tenants facing eviction are elderly and that more
than half are women.
It is
inconceivable to me that the NSW Government is unmoved by pleas that it
consider the welfare of these tenants.
I’m also
shocked to hear that the NSW Government is not even responding to inquiries on
behalf of these residents for more information about the plan.
As someone
who grew up in public housing at Camperdown, I understand the importance of
community and security to vulnerable public housing tenants.
I oppose the
sell-off. A responsible government dealing with a public housing shortage would
deliver more housing in addition to the existing stock.
But in
selling off the Millers Point properties to his wealthy supporters so he can
move public housing tenants out of this historic inner-city precinct, Mr Baird
risks creating a Sydney divided by postcodes.
He will
create a Sydney where only the wealthy live in the inner city and the
disadvantaged are removed from the communities where they have grown up and
have links.
The logic of
the Baird Government’s position on Millers Point will see public housing in
Glebe, Waterloo, Balmain, North Sydney and other inner Sydney communities sold
off.
Successful cities are not disconnected enclaves of
privilege and disadvantage. They are diverse. Their people come from a mixture
of backgrounds.
When Premier Baird and Minister Upton look at Millers
Point they see dollar signs.
When I look at Millers Point I see a community made up
of people who deserve respect, not contempt.
The forum
will be held tomorrow – Saturday September 6 - at midday at Abraham Mott Hall,
Argyle Place, Millers Point.
RESOURCED: http://anthonyalbanese.com.au/people-dont-matter-to-the-liberals
