The rally was addressed by the leader of the Opposition John Robertson and the Member for Balmain Jamie Parker whose speeches were followed by the voices of individual tenants representing different housing estates and the problems they are facing on a daily basis.
Kelly Elliott, a single mother from Waterloo, spoke of the appalling conditions she is living under, how she hates to return to her unit, and the way she and her child now avoid going home. Michael Reid from Joanna O’Dea in Forest Lodge described the years of battle to get maintenance and safety measures taken in his building, and how quickly the repairs are beginning to degrade with little response from the local office.
Barney Gardiner from Millers Point spoke of the devastating announcement by Minister Goward about the sell-off of all the public housing in Millers Point, Dawes Point and The Rocks, pointing out that on the same day that the announcement was made officers from the Department began knocking on doors to give the unsuspecting tenants their relocation notices. The distress that this caused the large contingent from Millers Point was palpable.
Finally, representatives from Hands Off Glebe spoke of the “demolition by neglect” that is facing so much public housing and the major sell-off of the Glebe Housing Estate, its demolition and the lack of action in redeveloping the site.
The grassroots rally was an important step for public housing tenants in forming new associations to make their voices heard in a rapidly declining environment for public housing rights and tenant priorities.
