Tonight I watched a Current Affairs show telling the story of how tough many people are doing it. They are living in shipping containers, derelict caravans, the back of their cars; one step away from living on the street.

Not all these people are 'losers'  far from it, many are intelligent everyday people on the end of ill fortune.

I have always said as a Cop we are all one step away from disaster and living exactly like these poor souls are doing.

I ponder now, how far would the 12 billion dollars spent by Labor on illegal boat people, have gone to relieve our own citizens who are a sideshow, apparently no Government here gives a flying sh.t about.

You see its just not freaking newsworthy enough.

F#ckem!, they should have worked harder and paid more taxes so that we can import even more boat people to Australia to retire on centrelink ... the ungrateful bastards  >:(

red baron wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 6:58pm:

Tonight I watched a Current Affairs show telling the story of how tough many people are doing it. They are living in shipping containers, derelict caravans, the back of their cars; one step away from living on the street. Not all these people are 'losers'  far from it, many are intelligent everyday people on the end of ill fortune. I have always said as a Cop we are all one step away from disaster and living exactly like these poor souls are doing. I ponder now, how far would the 12 billion dollars spent by Labor on illegal boat people, have gone to relieve our own citizens who are a sideshow, apparently no Government here gives a flying sh.t about. You see its just not freaking newsworthy enough.

maybe no votes in it.. like our children being swept under the carpet as more and more "parents" kill them because they should not have them in the first place..

but it must be cheaper to let them be killed than to spend money on caring for them..

there is always a cost factor isnt there?.

hows many MPs are at Lords.. anyone know.. I saw John Howard shaking hands with the Queen...did we pay for that as well????..

funny how we can find the money when THEY need it most.

I feel for the real homeless I really do but our children I feel more.

They're not homeless if they've got a shipping container to call...err..home.

I'd like to see more of these unconventional uses.  We can't all have, nor do we all need a 4x2 on 1/4 acre block, and it's only government red tape that prevents people from finding an arrangement that suits their needs and means.  It's not the ritz, but it's better than sleeping in a piss-soaked stairwell.

how many spare rooms at your place Red?, maybe you could even squeeze a couple of beds into one room  .... better than b1tching about everything isn't it Red?

I'll tell our own needy the same as I tell all needy, go to Indonesia and come back on a boat if you want first class treatment otherwise get back in the gutter lest you give the boat arrivals a bad image of Australia.   

John Smith wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 7:12pm:

how many spare rooms at your place Red?, maybe you could even squeeze a couple of beds into one room  .... better than b1tching about everything isn't it Red?

he may have a few asylum seekers staying like yourself!! :D

cods wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 7:15pm:

John Smith wrote on Jul 19th, 2013 at 7:12pm: how many spare rooms at your place Red?, maybe you could even squeeze a couple of beds into one room  .... better than b1tching about everything isn't it Red? he may have a few asylum seekers staying like yourself!! :D

I haven't any spare rooms Cods otherwise I would. Have you?

Innocent bystander wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 7:13pm:

I'll tell our own needy the same as I tell all needy, go to Indonesia and come back on a boat if you want first class treatment otherwise get back in the gutter lest you give the boat arrivals a bad image of Australia.

try it.

Mr baron sir, how much money in the budget did mr Howard redirect from asylum seekers to the homeless when the boats stopped?

Honky....the kicker to this story is that in less than a year the caravan park's containers and sh.tbox vans will be shovelled in to make way for...wait for it...Five star homes that will cost megabucks.

Oh and the tenants? Well they will be on their sorry arses out on the pavement...sound familiar?

Alevine, in my comments I included all Governments and that includes Liberal ones.

red baron wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 7:45pm:

Honky....the kicker to this story is that in less than a year the caravan park's containers and sh.tbox vans will be shovelled in to make way for...wait for it...Five star homes that will cost megabucks. Oh and the tenants? Well they will be on their sorry arses out on the pavement...sound familiar?

Too familiar.  I've got a mother in law who lives in a 1 bedroom dog box that costs most of her income.  Next rent rise she gets may be enough to push her out onto the street - and I'll die before I let her move in here, but there are few other options available.

Hey John Smith let's take a scenario, I preface it by stating that I don't wish this on anyone including you my adversary.

Let's say you were unfortunate enough to have an accident, one minute you're flying, good job, good pay, good prospects...then suddenly you get struck down by serious and long term illness.

Have a think about how long your lifestyle would last...You would be down the chute in the twinkling of an eye.

It could happen to any of us...and when that happens watch how the friends and colleagues disappear.

I didn't start in the Cops until I was 33. I was the grandpop of my class, different now, they take them at 55 now.

In my case, I was flying high with a great job in the airlines then suddenly there was an industrial dispute and a whole bunch of us got sacked.

I went from hero to zero.

Because of my air force stint in a security mustering I was finally able to get a start in the cops but in the intervening period, I did it tough big time.

It can come to get you at any time. I don't know one person who hasn't been through the fire one way or another.

What I'm saying is that charity begins at home and it burns me to see Country shoppers getting units and town houses whilst we have Australian citizens living on the streets and in cars and freaking shipping containers.

Shipping containers make great accommodation.  You should goggle shipping container houses, some of them would be better than what you call home.

Bet this is a better joint than yours, Red.
http://www.google.com.au/search?q=shipping+container+homes&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=xxDpUfjcOo2jkAXvyIDoBw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=1024&bih=644#biv=i%7C160%3Bd%7Cbno-RczuAuKfMM%3A

red baron wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 7:47pm:

Alevine, in my comments I included all Governments and that includes Liberal ones.

Yes Mr baron sir.  But my argument Mr baron sir is you shouldn't try to link asylum seekers to homelessness.  For it was shown very well that when there were no boats, money wasn't redirected.  You have a very valid argument, and this story completely sickens me. But don't undermine your argument by an attempt to incorrectly link us assisting asylum seekers as the cause.

trust me on this Skippy, the containers in  the story were small, old and had a door cut in the side of them, that's it....fridges in winter, ovens in summer.

They looked just like the ones you see the goods trains chugging. It would be like living in a coffin.

Liked your spread though...classy.

alevine.....Sorry but I'm not buying the asylum seeker story line...Asylum seekers don't have up to 15K to pay for a passage..they are Country Shoppers.

Hope they thought to bring mossie repellant, they'll need it in PNG

red baron wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 6:58pm:

Tonight I watched a Current Affairs show ...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c4/Today_Tonight_(TV)_logo.jpg/250px-Today_Tonight_(TV)_logo.jpg


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e7/Logo_a_current_affair.jpg



SORRY ...

You lost me THERE

red baron wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 8:09pm:

Hey John Smith let's take a scenario, I preface it by stating that I don't wish this on anyone including you my adversary. Let's say you were unfortunate enough to have an accident, one minute you're flying, good job, good pay, good prospects...then suddenly you get struck down by serious and long term illness. Have a think about how long your lifestyle would last...You would be down the chute in the twinkling of an eye. It could happen to any of us...and when that happens watch how the friends and colleagues disappear. I didn't start in the Cops until I was 33. I was the grandpop of my class, different now, they take them at 55 now. In my case, I was flying high with a great job in the airlines then suddenly there was an industrial dispute and a whole bunch of us got sacked. I went from hero to zero. Because of my air force stint in a security mustering I was finally able to get a start in the cops but in the intervening period, I did it tough big time. It can come to get you at any time. I don't know one person who hasn't been through the fire one way or another. What I'm saying is that charity begins at home and it burns me to see Country shoppers getting units and town houses whilst we have Australian citizens living on the streets and in cars and freaking shipping containers.

you aren't telling me anything I don't already know Red. But the fact remains that many of the homeless will be homeless regardless of what the government does. To try and vilify one group in the name of another is pathetic. Asylum seekers get NOTHING that every other Australian isn't entitled to.

red baron wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 8:31pm:

alevine.....Sorry but I'm not buying the asylum seeker story line...Asylum seekers don't have up to 15K to pay for a passage..they are Country Shoppers. Hope they thought to bring mossie repellant, they'll need it in PNG

that's like saying the only people with drug abuse problems are the poor  ... if you were really a cop you would know better.

red baron wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 6:58pm:

Tonight I watched a Current Affairs show telling the story of how tough many people are doing it. They are living in shipping containers, derelict caravans, the back of their cars; one step away from living on the street. Not all these people are 'losers'  far from it, many are intelligent everyday people on the end of ill fortune. I have always said as a Cop we are all one step away from disaster and living exactly like these poor souls are doing. I ponder now, how far would the 12 billion dollars spent by Labor on illegal boat people, have gone to relieve our own citizens who are a sideshow, apparently no Government here gives a flying sh.t about. You see its just not freaking newsworthy enough.

The problem is, first and foremost, they're Australians. On top of that they're probably male and white. If there's one group of people the Left hate the most, it's white, Australian, males. For the Left to care, you a have to be from a country about 10,000 Kms away and brown.

Totally disagree with you there John Smith..Karnal put up a great post where he outlined where the illegals were being housed, including units, town houses, detention centres... and wherever. You see the Government had no plan, the whole thing has been a shambles a nightmare and a disgrace.

At least with KRudd's new gambit, there is a plan, even if it costs the earth.

Postmodern Trendoid wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 8:49pm:

red baron wrote on Jul 19th, 2013 at 6:58pm: Tonight I watched a Current Affairs show telling the story of how tough many people are doing it. They are living in shipping containers, derelict caravans, the back of their cars; one step away from living on the street. Not all these people are 'losers'  far from it, many are intelligent everyday people on the end of ill fortune. I have always said as a Cop we are all one step away from disaster and living exactly like these poor souls are doing. I ponder now, how far would the 12 billion dollars spent by Labor on illegal boat people, have gone to relieve our own citizens who are a sideshow, apparently no Government here gives a flying sh.t about. You see its just not freaking newsworthy enough. The problem is, first and foremost, they're Australians. On top of that they're probably male and white. If there's one group of people the Left hate the most, it's white, Australian, males. For the Left to care, you a have to be from a country about 10,000 Kms away and brown.

Then why don't you jump in the sewer ... that'll make you brown, and you to can get some of that sympathy!!!!

red baron wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 6:58pm:

Tonight I watched a Current Affairs show telling the story of how tough many people are doing it. They are living in shipping containers, derelict caravans, the back of their cars; one step away from living on the street. Not all these people are 'losers'  far from it, many are intelligent everyday people on the end of ill fortune. I have always said as a Cop we are all one step away from disaster and living exactly like these poor souls are doing. I ponder now, how far would the 12 billion dollars spent by Labor on illegal boat people, have gone to relieve our own citizens who are a sideshow, apparently no Government here gives a flying sh.t about. You see its just not freaking newsworthy enough.

agreed

red baron wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 8:51pm:

Totally disagree with you there John Smith..Karnal put up a great post where he outlined where the illegals were being housed, including units, town houses, detention centres... and wherever. You see the Government had no plan, the whole thing has been a shambles a nightmare and a disgrace. At least with KRudd's new gambit, there is a plan, even if it costs the earth.

Wrong Baron ...

- the illegals are locked up until they are deported.

- The Asylum seekers are put into detention, sure due to the numbers low risk asylum seekers are put into motels and other govt. accommodation , but what would you have them do with them Red? they are not allowed to work and are not entitled to the dole or other benefits. Would you rather they dump them on the street where they have no choice but to resort to crime?

- Refugees are entitled to exactly what you and I are entitled too, depending on incomes ... no more and no less.

John Smith wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 8:56pm:

Wrong Baron ... - the illegals are locked up until they are deported.

Looks like Bob Carr is working to tighten up the criteria and the assessment so a lot more of the asylum seekers *cough* country shoppers *cough* might now be classified as illegals.

So that should please you.  8-)

I once lived in a converted railway carriage on a property for a while.

It was cheap and primitive, with few mod-cons, but was a hell of a lot of fun.

I had it set up quite comfortably inside, and was very happy there for several years.

They're not something you can park just anywhere, though.

---

Datalife wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 9:08pm:

John Smith wrote on Jul 19th, 2013 at 8:56pm: Wrong Baron ... - the illegals are locked up until they are deported. Looks like Bob Carr is working to tighten up the criteria and the assessment so a lot more of the asylum seekers *cough* country shoppers *cough* might now be classified as illegals. So that should please you.  8-)

I don't care how much they tighten up the criteria , in facts it's probably a good idea to tighten it up... it's up to others smarter than me to determine that.

Regardless of where the bar is set, we must honour our commitments.

red baron wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 6:58pm:

Tonight I watched a Current Affairs show telling the story of how tough many people are doing it. They are living in shipping containers, derelict caravans, the back of their cars; one step away from living on the street. Not all these people are 'losers'  far from it, many are intelligent everyday people on the end of ill fortune. I have always said as a Cop we are all one step away from disaster and living exactly like these poor souls are doing. I ponder now, how far would the 12 billion dollars spent by Labor on illegal boat people, have gone to relieve our own citizens who are a sideshow, apparently no Government here gives a flying sh.t about. You see its just not freaking newsworthy enough.

I lived in a shipping container for a while in canberra. Seriously i had money but i just couldn't get a place. there is/was a severe shortage of places to rent there. The container was pretty cool though - had windows and a door and it was pretty spacious. Better than a caravan.

SOB

http://spotofborg.com/files/persecution5.jpg

red baron wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 8:09pm:

Hey John Smith let's take a scenario, I preface it by stating that I don't wish this on anyone including you my adversary. Let's say you were unfortunate enough to have an accident, one minute you're flying, good job, good pay, good prospects...then suddenly you get struck down by serious and long term illness. Have a think about how long your lifestyle would last...You would be down the chute in the twinkling of an eye. It could happen to any of us...and when that happens watch how the friends and colleagues disappear.

I have seen this happen to ppl :( Especially if they are older (over 50) when it happens - getting back on their feet is not an easy (or even possible) thing to do.

SOB

http://spotofborg.com/files/persecution5.jpg

skippy. wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 8:10pm:

Shipping containers make great accommodation.  You should goggle shipping container houses, some of them would be better than what you call home.

Yup. I did have 2 problems with it though - 1) too cold (its metal) and 2) no toilet. Have to go outside or into the house where its parked.

SOB

http://spotofborg.com/files/persecution5.jpg

Postmodern Trendoid wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 8:49pm:

red baron wrote on Jul 19th, 2013 at 6:58pm: Tonight I watched a Current Affairs show telling the story of how tough many people are doing it. They are living in shipping containers, derelict caravans, the back of their cars; one step away from living on the street. Not all these people are 'losers'  far from it, many are intelligent everyday people on the end of ill fortune. I have always said as a Cop we are all one step away from disaster and living exactly like these poor souls are doing. I ponder now, how far would the 12 billion dollars spent by Labor on illegal boat people, have gone to relieve our own citizens who are a sideshow, apparently no Government here gives a flying sh.t about. You see its just not freaking newsworthy enough. The problem is, first and foremost, they're Australians. On top of that they're probably male and white. If there's one group of people the Left hate the most, it's white, Australian, males. For the Left to care, you a have to be from a country about 10,000 Kms away and brown.

Where the f#ck did you get that daft idea from?

Many of the left ARE white Australian males!

Never mind, Red, Tony'll stop the boats. Then the weather will improve, the beer will taste better and stairs won't be as steep as they used to be.

Heaven awaits, have faith, my friend.

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jul 20^th, 2013 at 5:33am:

skippy. wrote on Jul 19th, 2013 at 8:10pm: Shipping containers make great accommodation.  You should goggle shipping container houses, some of them would be better than what you call home. Yup. I did have 2 problems with it though - 1) too cold (its metal) and 2) no toilet. Have to go outside or into the house where its parked. SOB http://spotofborg.com/files/persecution5.jpg

be warmer than a caravan.. and you would still have to use the house for the bathroom..

my son has one in his yard as a work shed they are quite big and no reason one couldnt cut a window...I would not like to live in one for sure.. but if you dont mind camping or caravan living.. its not that bad.. and better than a park bench or back of a car.


funny how we can assemble make shift homes for Boat people but not our own.. funny that!

Peter Freedman wrote on Jul 20^th, 2013 at 9:34am:

Never mind, Red, Tony'll stop the boats. Then the weather will improve, the beer will taste better and stairs won't be as steep as they used to be. Heaven awaits, have faith, my friend.

we have pete we have, we know Tone will fix everything overnight..

one swipe with his magic bullet and it will be done..

its just a lurch to the righhhhht

Peter Freedman wrote on Jul 20^th, 2013 at 9:32am:

Postmodern Trendoid wrote on Jul 19th, 2013 at 8:49pm: red baron wrote on Jul 19th, 2013 at 6:58pm: Tonight I watched a Current Affairs show telling the story of how tough many people are doing it. They are living in shipping containers, derelict caravans, the back of their cars; one step away from living on the street. Not all these people are 'losers'  far from it, many are intelligent everyday people on the end of ill fortune. I have always said as a Cop we are all one step away from disaster and living exactly like these poor souls are doing. I ponder now, how far would the 12 billion dollars spent by Labor on illegal boat people, have gone to relieve our own citizens who are a sideshow, apparently no Government here gives a flying sh.t about. You see its just not freaking newsworthy enough. The problem is, first and foremost, they're Australians. On top of that they're probably male and white. If there's one group of people the Left hate the most, it's white, Australian, males. For the Left to care, you a have to be from a country about 10,000 Kms away and brown. Where the f#ck did you get that daft idea from? Many of the left ARE white Australian males!

and don't they feel guilty about it.

When did you start worrying about homeless people, Red?

MOTR wrote on Jul 20^th, 2013 at 10:18am:

When did you start worrying about homeless people, Red?

probably since psycho said he would house 50.000 of them way back in 2007

cods wrote on Jul 20^th, 2013 at 10:33am:

MOTR wrote on Jul 20th, 2013 at 10:18am: When did you start worrying about homeless people, Red? probably since psycho said he would house 50.000 of them way back in 2007

And he's still talking about the homeless.


Quote:

I am proud of the fact that, since 2007, the government has invested an unprecedented $26 billion into housing and homelessness services. This includes $5.6 billion towards the Social Housing Initiative, which included building 19,600 new homes and repairing 80,000 existing units of social housing—that makes a huge difference out there in the community; $4.3 billion went towards the National Rental Affordability Scheme, NRAS, which is delivering 50,000 new affordable rental homes; and $450 million through the Housing Affordability Fund reduces the cost for new homebuyers by helping councils and developers with the costs of roads, cabling, sewerage and other infrastructure. Also, in my electorate we have contributed to the construction of Common Ground. These now exist in each major city in Australia. In Brisbane, a $40 million-facility, funded primarily by the Commonwealth, now accommodates rough sleepers—some 140 units in all. This has been a good development. One sad thing, though, is the future of the Queensland Tenant Advise and Advocacy Service, which supports about 80,000 people each year. Unfortunately, the Liberal-National Party government in Queensland has abolished funding for the future of this terrific service. I would really ask them to reconsider that. It performs a valuable function for all the homeless in Queensland.

From Hansard Federation Chamber
CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS – St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout
Thursday, 20 June 2013

cods wrote on Jul 20^th, 2013 at 9:38am:

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jul 20th, 2013 at 5:33am: skippy. wrote on Jul 19th, 2013 at 8:10pm: Shipping containers make great accommodation.  You should goggle shipping container houses, some of them would be better than what you call home. Yup. I did have 2 problems with it though - 1) too cold (its metal) and 2) no toilet. Have to go outside or into the house where its parked. SOB http://spotofborg.com/files/persecution5.jpg be warmer than a caravan.. and you would still have to use the house for the bathroom.. my son has one in his yard as a work shed they are quite big and no reason one couldnt cut a window...I would not like to live in one for sure.. but if you dont mind camping or caravan living.. its not that bad.. and better than a park bench or back of a car. funny how we can assemble make shift homes for Boat people but not our own.. funny that!

Short term it wasnt too bad. Quite spacious really - even had a desk in there and a TV. Had a power line going from the laundry of the house into it. My mother lives in it now and she apparently even has a small fridge in there and she made curtains. Perhaps i can get a picture of it from her. She has wireless from the house for her laptop.

SOB

http://spotofborg.com/files/persecution5.jpg