Brisbane Mayor faces backlash over homeless relocation plan

Brisbane's Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner faced criticism during a council meeting over his plan to move long-term homeless individuals out of city parks. The meeting had to be paused after members of the audience disrupted as Schrinner tried to explain the proposal. Last week, Schrinner announced that homeless people in Brisbane would have 24 hours to leave city parks. He claimed that all refused offers of accommodation, leading to tents being removed from public spaces. However, some organizations argue that certain individuals are denied crisis accommodation due to not having identification. During the meeting, Schrinner defended his stance, stating that it wouldn't be right to let people stay in unsafe tent camps when shelter is available. The situation escalated with ongoing heckling from the crowd, prompting council chair Sandy Landers to clear the room and adjourn the session. A member of the audience challenged Schrinner, asking if he had consulted with crisis accommodation workers or homeless individuals. This incident highlights the ongoing debate about how to address homelessness in Brisbane. Schrinner has emphasized that some parks are becoming dangerous and “no-go zones.”