Strict conditions of stay are enforced at Wilks Park, with the homeless moved on to alternative accommodation. Photos: Oliver Jacques.
NSW Government department Homes NSW has defended spending $1797 on a plane ticket to send a homeless Wagga man back to his country of origin, New Zealand, saying it was a way to help someone who wasn’t eligible for social housing in NSW.
Mark Hudson, 52, was born and bred in New Zealand, but has lived in Australia for more than 15 years. For the past two years, he has lived in Wagga and has recently been sleeping rough in Wilks Park.
He said he has been left in limbo after Wagga Council issued fines to homeless people as part of a concerted effort to move them out of the park.
Homes NSW has been assisting Wilks Park residents into alternative accommodation but says Mr Hudson, a New Zealand citizen, is not eligible for social housing.
“I really don’t know what I’m going to do,” Mr Hudson told Region.
“I crashed at a friend’s place last night, but all my stuff is at Wilks Park. I know we can’t stay there.”
The Guardian Australia reported that Homes NSW bought Mr Hudson a Sydney-to-Auckland plane ticket last week, at a cost of $1797 to taxpayers.
“I never wanted to go back to New Zealand, but Homes NSW gave me no options at all,” he said.
“They pressured me about six times; they kept on offering me the ticket, and I kept refusing. Eventually, I asked them for written confirmation that they’d get me a ticket, but they told me they couldn’t put it in writing; they’d just buy the ticket.”
Homes NSW strongly denies this account, saying Mr Hudson initiated discussions about returning to New Zealand.
“Mark was asked on numerous occasions if this was his preferred option and he confirmed each time that it was. At no point was Mark urged or directed to take a flight back to New Zealand,” a Homes NSW spokesperson said.
Homes NSW confirmed it bought the ticket, but the airline cancelled the flight.
Mr Hudson remains in Wagga, where he says he wants to stay because he is taking custody of his granddaughter.
Some tents have returned to Wilks Park but are deep in the bushes.
The department said it is trying to find him shelter, but as of Monday, Mr Hudson had not been told where he could stay.
His daughter, Sheila Hudson, urged the department to help him.
“He didn’t want to go back to New Zealand. If he did, he’d just have to find accommodation,” she said.
“He’s taking custody of my child so he really needs somewhere to live.”
Wagga housing advocates have criticised Homes NSW for paying people to leave the state, saying it outsources the problem instead of addressing the town’s chronic housing shortage.
Region asked Homes NSW if it was policy or established practice to pay for flights or other travel for homeless people to return to their country of origin or relocate elsewhere.
“Homes NSW has been successfully working with each person facing housing insecurity along Wilks Park and Wagga Beach since April, which has seen the encampments reduce significantly,” a spokesperson said.
“Our approach has been focused on working with each individual based on their circumstances, recognising that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to homelessness.
“Brokerage is one of a range of support options available, which can include assistance with travel costs, including airfares, to help people reconnect with family or other support networks.
“Eligibility for housing and support services is determined by a range of factors, including visa status, which Homes NSW cannot control as this is managed by relevant Commonwealth Government departments and agencies.
“Support is always offered on a voluntary basis, and people cannot be compelled to accept assistance.
“Where a person is not eligible for social housing or other support services in NSW and requests assistance to return to their home country, Homes NSW may assist with that request as part of an individual support plan.”
