'Home Sweet Home' is not enjoyed by all Victorians

27 April 2005

Dr Szoke, who will open the Victorian Housing Rights Tribunal on Thursday 28th April, said that the right to adequate housing was a basic human right that many people were denied.

"Housing rights relate to the right to live in peace and security, to have access to clean drinking water, energy for cooking, heating and lighting, sanitation and washing facilities, access to transport, refuse disposal - basic human rights in the context of an affluent Western society such as Australia," she said.

"These rights are not protected by law in Australia and this lack of protection can lead to evictions, unfair rent increases, inadequate housing and homelessness."

Dr Szoke emphasised that shortage of adequate housing was a problem faced by sections of the community on an ongoing basis and that the Victorian Housing Rights Tribunal would provide a forum to highlight this endemic social problem.

"The Victorian Housing Rights Tribunal, which has been organised by the Victorian Council of Social Service, will provide a unique opportunity to hear real-life stories about why people become homeless, what it's like to live for years in refuges, in unsafe rooming houses and on public housing waiting lists."

The Tribunal will hear from people from marginalised groups in the community, such as people with a disability, young single mothers, indigenous people, asylum seekers and older Victorians, as well as key representatives from tenancy, housing, migration and family support services.

"We will have to be especially careful in the lead up to the 2006 Commonwealth Games, as rent increases and evictions were certainly an issue during the Sydney 2000 Olympics."

Dr Szoke said that an individual complaint based system such as that offered by the Equal Opportunity Commission was limited in providing a long-term solution to the housing problem.

"Australia is currently the only Commonwealth country, and one of only a few industrialised nations, that has no official legal protection for human rights."

"An individual complaint system places the responsibility on the individual experiencing discrimination, and in the case of homelessness, this is likely to be an individual facing difficulties in coping with other aspects of life. It also doesn't provide an immediate solution to the problem which is required when a person has nowhere to live."

"We need a multi-faceted approach which includes protections in law, the availability of diverse and culturally sensitive service options, accessible and affording housing for all groups in the community including people with a disability, crisis options and short-term housing."

Victorian Housing Tribunal
9am - 4.30pm 28 and 29 April
Melbourne Town Hall
Contact Rivkah Nissim on 0400 219 328