Brisbane’s homeless stressed and confused a week after threats to boot them out

“Ultimately, what we want and need is more public housing and more supported accommodation for people with complex needs,” Sriranganathan said.

“No one is saying that we want people to keep sleeping in tents in the park long-term, that’s not a solution.”

Public frustration reached fever pitch during a council meeting on Tuesday, when people in the public gallery heckled Schrinner.

Amid calls to “have some humanity,” the lord mayor insisted homeless people had other options.

“You’d have to be pretty heartless to allow people to stay in squalid and dangerous tent encampments when there is crisis accommodation available now,” he said.

The gallery was cleared and police detained two people for breaching the peace. They were given move-on orders and released.

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Sriranganathan said the protest probably had a “powerful effect” on councillors.

“It’s so rare for anyone to pay much attention to the council that when people do start protesting it, it really makes them nervous,” he said.

Walsh said Micah Projects had sought updates from the council.

She said she was worried any homeless people moved out of parks and public spaces would still not have proper access to crisis housing.

“There just isn’t enough motels or housing options for people [that can] be offered – this is what the housing crisis has resulted in,” Walsh said.

Sriranganathan vowed to convene another rally outside parliament next week to highlight the government’s role in providing housing.

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