Barney Gardner, spokesperson for the Save Millers Point residents action group, told a Sydney forum of more than 100 people on June 14: “The Baird Coalition government is continuing with the policies of [former premier] Barry O'Farrell and [former housing minister] Pru Goward.”
The New South Wales government is pushing ahead with its plan to sell off 393 public houses in the historic Millers Point neighbourhood of inner-city Sydney and force public housing tenants to move.
"The government calls it ‘relocation,' but really it's 'forced eviction'," Gardner told the June 14 meeting. "Never before has an entire suburb been moved. Millers Point is 'ground zero' for the government's policy of destruction of public housing.”
The government is harassing residents and trying to pressure them into accepting relocation to other suburbs. In part, by refusing to carry out repairs at Millers Point, the government is implementing "eviction by dereliction”.
"A number of friends and neighbours have already been pushed into moving out," Gardner said. "But already there are 60-80 empty dwellings here. Why aren't people on the public housing waiting list being offered houses in Millers Point?
"We also have a lot of support from the general community. Other suburbs are very worried about the threat to public housing tenants.
"This government is intent on getting rid of public and social housing once and for all. But, here at The Point, the fightback begins.
"Redfern Legal Centre and other community organisations have backed us all along the way.
"We also have strong support from unions. The Maritime Union of Australia has assisted us from the start. They have close historic ties to the waterfront here.
"The Fire Brigade Employees Union has supported us. And Unions NSW is moving to endorse our campaign.
"We have launched a public petition, seeking 10,000 signatures to force a debate in state parliament. We plan to organise mass handouts of flyers at railway stations, and need volunteers for letter drops.
"This community has existed for over 200 years. The National Trust has heritage-listed us as a 'living community.'
"Our message is clear: Stay solid, stick together, and we will escalate our campaign from here.”
Other speakers at the meeting included independent state MP Alex Greenwich, Labor shadow housing minister Sophie Cotsis, Sydney City Council deputy mayor Robyn Kemmis and Maritime Union of Australia state secretary Paul McAleer.
The Save Millers Point campaign is planning a Spring Picnic on Sunday September 14, 10.30am, at Argyle Place, Millers Point, to help publicise the struggle to stop the evictions.