WINTER 2021• ISSUE 139

INNER SYDNEYVOICE

RESURRECTING THE CROSS 18 4 EDITORIAL 16 Housing strategy falls short 5 NOTICEBOARD The NSW government’s new 20-year housing strategy gives a broad nod to issues at play while offering few actionable 6 NEWS solutions. 10 NEWS FEATURE A national shame Thirty years after the royal commission’s report into Aboriginal 18 Moore, the unstoppable deaths in custody was published, few of its recommendations Ahead of the City election in September, Ben Raue of The Tally have been implemented. Room reflects on the rise of Sydney’s longest-serving lord mayor and wonders what the future will hold. 11 NEWS FEATURE Locked into poverty Australia’s social security net is failing to keep vulnerable 20 Turning on the neon families out of poverty, with researchers warning the child Kings Cross is undergoing a metamorphosis, but yet to land in poverty rates for single-parent families is set to soar now that a place that rests easy with its history or provide a pathway the coronavirus supplements have ended. forward for its future. A new report sets out a vision to revitalise the precinct. 12 Designing for flood-prone cities As the March floods highlighted, we can’t continue to build 23 Time at the bar cities and towns based on business-as-usual planning With the Green Park sold and the Hollywood on the market, principles — especially as these disasters tend to Inner Sydney Voice laments the closure of two of Sydney’s disproportionately affect disadvantaged populations. iconic hotels.

14 Little choice, no control A planned overhaul of the National Disability Insurance Scheme has been soundly rejected by the disability sector.

2 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au CONTENTS 32

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12 24 Testing times A spate of deaths across Australia has renewed calls for a 31 OPINION Women are fed up Federal MP for Sydney, Tanya Plibersek, calls violence against move away from the current punitive approach to drug taking women in Australia a ‘national crisis’. towards policies of harm-minimisation.

26 Brought to justice? 32 The Alpha City Modern, urban economies produce a distinctive kind of city life The NSW police officer who was filmed slamming an Aboriginal — one where wealth appears to be high in general. But as teenager face-first to the ground in Surry Hills in June 2020 Rowland Atkinson argues in his latest book, the reality is many has been charged with two counts of assault. middle-income and poorer residents are negatively affected.

28 The beginnings of a movement This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Aboriginal Legal 34 COMMUNITY VOICES ‘I did not wake up Service. one morning and decide to become a

29 Kill the bill carer. It just happened — I was suddenly On 17 April, trans protesters and their allies took to Taylor a carer.’ Square to oppose an anti-trans education bill. At the rally, One-in-eight Australians provide unpaid care and support to a queer non-binary primary school educator Sam Guerra family member or friend. But what is it really like to care? delivered an impassioned speech. 35 CITY GLIMPSES/FROM THE VAULT 30 OPINION A failure to keep us safe Until it is properly acknowledged that centuries of ill-treatment of Aboriginal people is linked to our imprisonment and deaths COVER IMAGE Committee for Sydney in custody our circumstances will not improve, writes BACK COVER PHOTO Geoff Stahl Meena Singh. innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 3 INNER SYDNEYVOICE EDITORIAL WINTER 2021 | ISSUE 139

Inner Sydney Voice is the journal of the Inner Delayed from last year due to preselection. As of writing, this leaves Sydney Regional Council for Social COVID, the NSW local elections three candidates competing for Moore’s Development Inc trading as Inner Sydney will take place on 4 September. mayoral robes: Labor’s Linda Scott, the Voice. We are a non-profit organisation committed to the idea of information as a tool Among the 126 councils up for grabs Greens’ Sylvie Ellsmore, and independent for community development. The is the City of Sydney. As well as electing Yvonne Weldon. Weldon — a Wiradjuri organisation defines Inner Sydney as being nine City councillors, Sydneysiders get woman and an Indigenous leader — is the local government areas of City of Sydney, to vote for lord mayor. Most political the first Aboriginal candidate for Bayside, Randwick, Waverley, Woollahra, and analysts — including our own Ben Raue Sydney’s mayorship. In all reality, it’s the Inner West. of The Tally Room (see page 18) — predict unlikely that Clover will be ejected. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY an unprecedented fifth consecutive When Scott ran in 2016 she scored ten We acknowledge and pay our respects to the term for Clover Moore. After all, Moore percent of the vote; the Greens just five traditional custodians of the lands across the easily won the 2016 election with percent. Moore’s nearest challenger areas we service, particularly the Gadigal almost 60 percent of the vote and — was Forster, who secured almost 20 people of the Eora Nation, traditional custodians of the land on which our office is five years on — appears as popular as percent. It seems — at least from located. We pay our respects to Elders, past ever. Moore’s detractors — baited by where I’m clacking away — the election and present. talkback gammons and Murdoch hacks is Moore’s to lose. — like to portray Sydney’s longest- Sticking with NSW politics, Fred Nile EDITOR Christopher Kelly serving lord mayor as a latte-sipping, has announced his retirement from

CONTRIBUTORS tree-hugging, bike-loving, multicultural parliament. Two words: ‘good’ and Rowland Atkinson | Matilda Fay | Sam Guerra embracing social justice warrior for the ‘riddance’. I first heard of Reverend Nile Allison Hore | Jake Kendall | Luke Michael woke brigade. Moore’s supporters view not long after arriving in Sydney 20-odd Vivienne Milligan | Elizabeth Mossop her as a transformative and progressive years ago. Back then, I was a freelance Hal Pawson | Tanya Plibersek | Ben Raue leader committed to — among other journo writing for the gay press. I soon Tim Ritchie | Meena Sing | Alec Smart things — greening the city (see page 6) discovered that Nile’s hostility toward DESIGN Stevie Bee and equal rights for all. the LGBTQ community was long- Under Moore’s 17 years of leadership, established — each year he would pray MEMBERSHIP + SUBSCRIPTIONS Sydney has attained global city status for it to rain on our parade. Literally. Saskia Eichler-Cheney — a city of creativity, which protects Every year, the crimson-faced mouth-

PRINTING Goliath open space and offers eco-transport frother and his acrid acolytes would get options. Running on a narrative of down on their knees and fervently pray WEBSITE innersydneyvoice.org.au sustainability and liveability, Moore has for Mardi Gras to be deluged. Imagine dedicated herself to reducing the city’s how sour your soul would have to be. PUBLISHER greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, the And imagine the cheers when one year, Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Development Inc trading as Inner Sydney Voice City of Sydney was the first local rather than rain, there appeared a ABN 86 770 127 254 government in Australia to become rainbow. Nile’s hang-up with the gays Rear 770 Elizabeth Street Waterloo NSW 2017 carbon neutral in 2007 and its has always amused me. The man is PHONE 9698 7690 operations are now powered by 100 obsessed. Dismissing our innate EMAIL [email protected] percent renewable electricity. Her sexuality as a “lifestyle choice”, Nile FACEBOOK facebook.com/innersydneyrcsd championship of design excellence has thinks us “unnatural and abnormal”. TWITTER @innersydneyrcsd been described as “pioneering”. In Mardi Gras promotes “indecency and DISCLAIMER + COPYRIGHT April, Moore was named one of the top obscenity” and is “a public parade of The opinions expressed in Inner Sydney Voice 10 people who’ve been most influential immorality and blasphemy”. Geez, talk magazine do not necessarily represent the in shaping Sydney — ever. about a party pooper. He once said that views of the publisher, the publication nor our The 2021 mayoral contest had been gay people have a “mental disorder”. funders. Unless stated otherwise, opinions belong to contributors, not the organisation billed as a battle of the rivals, with This from a man who believes in an or group with which they work. While every Moore pitted against her former deputy invisible wizard in the sky. Anyhow, effort has been made to ensure the accuracy Kerryn Phelps. But, in early May, Phelps come November Nile will depart of the information, no responsibility can be pulled out of the race for family parliament and the place will be better accepted by the publisher for any contributions. reasons. Christine Forster was touted off without him. Bye, bye Fred. You — Copyright belongs to the contributors. as the Liberal candidate but has since and your toxic brand of Christianity — Join and subscribe: Please see back cover announced she will not stand for can go to hell . . .

4 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au noticeboard

Changing young lives In 2002, novelist Dave are delivered exclusively in Eggers and educator areas with high populations of Ninive Caligari founded young people who are most at 826 Valencia — a risk of poor literacy, leaving creative writing centre school early, and significantly for under resourced reduced life outcomes. The young people in San focus is on young people who Francisco. The impact of are Aboriginal and Torres Strait 826 quickly spread Islander; for whom English is an across the USA, inspiring additional language or dialect; the launch of seven more are from under-resourced 826 chapters in places communities; or marginalised in including New York, Boston volunteer meeting was held with 200 other ways. and New Orleans. willing people turning up — a flash mob The ethos behind Story Factory is It wasn’t long before this momentum before flash mobs were even a thing! the belief that all Australian young led to the opening of similar creative Support was garnered from people — no matter their background hubs all around the world. These prominent writers, including Peter — should be given opportunities to include The Ministry of Stories, in FitzSimons and Markus Zusak and in develop the literacy skills that will allow London, established with help from May 2011, the Story Factory was them to flourish and shape a positive Nick Hornby; Fighting Words in Dublin, launched by then governor, Professor future. established with Roddy Doyle; 100 Marie Bashir, at the Sydney Writers’ In the wake of the COVID-19 Story Building in Melbourne, and of Festival, to a capacity crowd. Eighteen calamity, Story Factory’s work is more course, Sydney’s Story Factory. months after the first spark of important than ever before as it is In 2011, Sydney Morning inspiration, in July 2012, the Story those in the community who are most Herald journalists Cath Keenan and Tim Factory was officially opened at 176 disadvantaged who are facing the Dick visited 826 Valencia in the hope of Redfern Street, Redfern. greatest hardships. “That includes the finding a solution to the growing For the first couple of years the kids who struggle with school at the concern about literacy rates and limited focus of the work was specifically best of times, who have low literacy creative opportunities among Redfern/Waterloo but over time Story and are the least engaged,” says marginalised children in Australia. Cath Factory volunteers were increasingly executive director and co-founder, Cath and Tim spent a week immersing asked to work in Western Sydney. To Keenan. “They’re the ones whose themselves in 826 workshops as support this work, a second creative educational outcomes are the most volunteer tutors and learning all about writing centre opened in Parramatta in compromised by disrupted schooling. the 826 philosophy. Once home, they October 2018. The impact on their future could be consulted widely with educators, young Together with more than 50 other catastrophic. We’re committed to being people, parents, writers, and the organisations around the world, Story there to help them recover lost ground, broader community on how to adapt Factory is part of the International rebuild their literacy and motivation to the 826 model to local conditions. Alliance of Youth Writing Centres — a learn, and boost their confidence, In February 2011, the Story Factory coalition inspired by 826 and united by ensuring they have the best chance of founding board was established, a common belief that young people success, in an uncertain future.” including chair Michael Gonski, a need places where they can write and After a pause in 2020 due to the solicitor and leading young be heard, and where they can have pandemic, Story Factory is once again philanthropist; Professor Larissa their voices polished, published, and recruiting and training new volunteers. Behrendt, who lent her expertise in amplified. Indigenous education; and Professor Story Factory runs creative writing n If you would like to volunteer — or Robyn Ewing, an expert in creativity in and storytelling workshops for young make a donation — call 9699 6970 or education. In April, the very first people aged seven to 17. Its programs email [email protected].

PHOTO AKSHAYAPATRA innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 5 NEWS Budget leaves many behind May’s federal budget allocated More than $650 million will be spent the commonwealth to show $17.7 billion over five years to to advance and upskill the aged-care leadership,” said National Shelter the aged-care system in a bid workforce including funding an extra executive officer, Adrian Pisarski. to overhaul the discredited 13,000 home-care workers. Yet this “Instead they refuse to lift their share of sector. number, say advocates — as well as the investment in social and affordable The money will provide older creation of an additional 33,800 housing so desperately needed.” Australians with tens of thousands of training places — is not enough to stem Although Goldie acknowledges that the additional home-care packages and the workforce shortfall. “We’ve always federal budget provides investment in mandate the time staff spend with said, if you don’t fix staffing, you can’t crucial community services, she says it aged-care residents. However, while fix the aged-care system,” said the “leaves too many stranded. It does 80,000 extra home-care packages Australian Nursing & Midwifery nothing to address the severe shortage have been promised over the next two Association. “Without mandated of social housing or raise social security years, the number falls far short of the minimum staffing levels and skills mix payments above the poverty line.” 103,000 older people estimated to be guaranteed to meet the care needs of There was also a failure to invest in on the wait list. residents, elderly Australians and their renewable energy. Described by the And — whilst sector orgs have largely families will continue to suffer.” Climate Council as “a national shame”, welcomed the much-needed cash boost Meanwhile, from 1 January 2022, spokesperson Nicki Hutley said: “The — aged-care advocates say, without migrants will be forced to wait four federal government continues to throw reform, the money is meaningless. In a years before they can access welfare taxpayers’ money at polluting industries tweet, Aged Care Reform Now said: “If benefits. The cost-saving measure — of the past like gas which provides very this budget is the response to the royal described as a “blatant money grab” — few jobs. It should be focused on creating commission, it is a disgrace. Without will deliver the government $671 million good, clean jobs in renewables.” The financial transparency, unscrupulous over five years. In response, Australian budget included $58.6 million for gas providers will continue to put profits Council of Social Service CEO, Dr expansion, and support for carbon before care. We will continue to see Cassandra Goldie, said: “We are deeply capture and storage, and hydrogen from neglect, negligence, and abuse in troubled about the cut in income fossil fuels as part of a $540 million aged-care homes.” The royal support for newly arrived migrants.” package. “Among major economies commission into aged-care found that Perhaps the most criticised aspect of and our strategic allies,” said Hutley, one in three people living in aged-care the 2021 budget is the lack of any “Australia is right at the bottom of the in Australia experience neglect and federal funding for social and pack when it comes to spending on physical or emotional abuse. affordable housing. “We have called on solutions that reduce emissions.” From grey to green As part of its continuing for council since the launch of its of the city’s traffic-choked streets. strategy to green Sydney, the Sustainable Sydney program in 2008. Broadway, for example, may be City council has announced In that time, Sydney has seen a 24 downsized to two lanes each way to plans to plant 700 trees each percent increase in canopy cover and a create a village vibe. Meanwhile, year and to cover 40 percent of 13 percent increase in green spaces. drivers will be discouraged from using the city in greenery by 2050. “Trees remove thousands of tonnes of Park Street and instead diverted to the The initiative includes new and pollution from our air, store carbon and cross-city tunnel. Council also wants to improved parks, an increase in canopy help mitigate extreme weather, while modify Botany Road to incorporate cover, more streetscape gardening, also relieving stress, depression and trees and walkways, and to widen and green roofs. “Trees and other anxiety,” said Moore. “It is critical that footpaths along Oxford Street for dining urban greenery are as essential as we value everything our broad urban and entertainment. roads and broadband,” said Sydney forest and greenery can do for us and “We’re looking to create a city that lord mayor Clover Moore. invest heavily in it.” people want to live, visit, work and Greening the city has been a priority There are also plans to reclaim some spend time,” said Moore.

6 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au NEWS Affordable housing push An alliance of Aboriginal the Redfern/Waterloo area. Council. The alliance is calling on the community-controlled They want this minimum of 10 percent NSW government to walk with organisations is urging people to be run by a community housing Australia’s First Peoples by ensuring to support a commitment to provider that is either Aboriginal owned that Aboriginal and Torres Strait affordable housing in and managed or, if not, working in Islander people continue to have a place Redfern/Waterloo. partnership with an Aboriginal on Gadigal land in Redfern/Waterloo. The NSW government’s proposed community-controlled organisation. “We want to continue a presence of redevelopment of the Waterloo estate They also want to ensure that there are First Nations people around the on Gadigal land has no commitment to agreed upon targets for Aboriginal Waterloo and Redfern area, and how affordable housing for the Aboriginal employment in the construction and we continue that is through a community that has long called the provision of ongoing services in all commitment of housing — both area home. government redevelopments in the affordable and social,” said campaign Backed by local MPs, and with the Redfern/Waterloo area. coordinator Warren Roberts. “We’re not support of City of Sydney council, the “This is an opportunity to show a interested in murals and street names alliance launched the affordable commitment to the Aboriginal community … what we are interested in is a policy housing campaign in September 2020. remaining in the area that is famous for commitment.” Supporters are asked to The alliance wants a minimum of 10 Aboriginal people, and where our rights contact their local member of the NSW percent of all proposed housing movement commenced and is based,” parliament and demand action on reserved for Aboriginal affordable said Nathan Moran, CEO of the making Redfern/Waterloo affordable for housing in each redevelopment site in Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Australia's First Peoples. WFH saves time and money Commuters could save minutes from commutes. an average of 90 hours “These time savings can be (or two-and-a-half invested into activities that working weeks) each give an individual more year if work from home value — be it spending more continues at current time with family or doing an rates, according to extra bit of work which preliminary findings of benefits business,” co- a recent survey. author Associate Professor “Our survey shows that Matthew Beck said. work-from-home policies When the researchers have been the greatest asked about future transport policy lever in the intentions, most of the last 70 years,” said Professor David working in the Greater Sydney survey respondents said they would Hensher, director of the Institute of metropolitan area, using average fare prefer to work from home at least one Transport and Logistics Studies. “It has prices for public transport and tolls, and day per week. “The future desires to helped deliver greater travel-time operating costs for car trips. Each work from home have been remarkably savings than any other infrastructure of commuter could save $906 in out-of- consistent since July last year, transport demand initiative.” pocket expenses, and a further $2,643 matching the current levels of working Researchers from ITLS at the in travel time savings each year. from home,” Beck said. “This means University of Sydney Business School The research team’s projections that on any given weekday there would conducted the national survey between show that Australians from be up to 30 percent of people working March and October last year with 956 metropolitan areas could save 143 from home, which would result in respondents. The study calculated the minutes a week compared to those significantly less congestion on roads potential cost savings for commuters from regional areas who could cut 81 and crowding on public transport.”

innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 7 NEWS Rallying against anti-trans bill Trans protesters and their from our peers, and now we have to Meanwhile, trans health expert allies took to Taylor Square on face that from grown adults.” Teddy Cook delivered a powerful 19 April to oppose an Also speaking at the protest, non- testimony to the NSW parliament. Cook education bill tabled by One binary primary school teacher, Sam — who is vice-president of the Nation’s Mark Latham. Guerra: “If I was ever put in a position Australian Professional Association for If passed, the bill would prevent where a student of mine confided in me Trans Health — told an inquiry teachers, counsellors and other school about their confusion with their gender examining the bill that transgender staff from offering support or advice to or their identity and the law prevented people “were not the threat you trans and gender-diverse students. If me from supporting them, I would not imagine us to be” and “deserve the LGBTQ+ issues were to be discussed, hesitate to put my job on the line to dignity of being known”. staff could face dismissal. Parents support this student.” Cook reminded the committee that would also be allowed to withdraw Following the speech, Guerra trans people are nothing new and have their children from the class. handed over a petition of more than existed in First Nations cultures for At the rally, trans students voiced 113,000 signatures opposing the bill to centuries. “Whatever the outcome of concerns that the bill would seek to Greens upper house member, David this inquiry is,” said Cook, “we know make them invisible. “This bill is Shoebridge. “[Latham] has made it that we’ve always been here. We have pushing for the erasure of trans clear that he wants to make political always been in education settings. And children and students,” said one. “It’s capital from marginalising some of the we always will. It’s important we know hard enough for all students as it is — most marginal in our community,” said we are valid and that we offer the and it’s even harder to be a trans Shoebridge, “and that is a shameful world an incredible gift.” student. We face bullying and isolation abuse of his position as an MP.” (See page 29) On the march against sexism A crowd of 200 people, Speeches from survivors drew most of them high-school emotion and anger from the students and young crowd, revealing the depth of pain women, gathered at Sydney at the heart of the issue. Survivor Town Hall in May to protest and activist Amanda Matthews Scott Morrison’s ongoing spoke of her own childhood failure to act on sexism. trauma, emphasising how sexual The rally was called by Youth violence often takes place in the Survivors 4 Justice — a group of domestic sphere. She called on mainly high-school women and everyone to “teach young people, survivors formed to confront the teach children that it’s OK to speak sexism that faces us in our schools, up” about sexual abuse. workplaces, and daily lives. has put more Liberal women in cabinet Jenny Leong, NSW Greens MP for Shanaya Donovan, a 17-year-old positions but has failed to promise any Newtown, called on governments to Darug, Dungutti and Gumbaynggirr meaningful change through the funding “not pretend any of the traumas that woman and one of the rally organisers, needed for essential services that people here have gone through are laid the blame for sexism squarely at support the most vulnerable women in things we cannot solve. We can solve the feet of the Liberal government, Australia. The rally demanded an all of these things. There are people in telling the crowd: “It starts in increase in the JobSeeker rate to $80 a charge who have an interest in keeping government and it trickles down to the day; adequate funding for domestic that trauma happening.” Wider issues rest of society like a giant domino that violence and women’s health services; such as homelessness, police violence we can’t stop unless we band together.” legislating enthusiastic consent; and and privatisation all exacerbated In the wake of the rape crisis in expanding education around sex, sexism, she argued. (See page 31) parliament, the coalition government consent, and sexism in schools. — Matilda Fay courtesy Solidarity

8 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au NEWS ‘Save our homes’ Residents from a number of estates in South Eveleigh and Waterloo. threatened public housing The NSW government said the renewed communities across Sydney’s estates will mean a greater number of inner city came together at social housing dwellings will exist. But Martin Place in May to call for critics are quick to point out the their homes to be saved from number of bedrooms will be much the wrecking ball. lower, with family homes being The rally followed the release of the when it’s completed down the line but replaced with one-or-two-bedroom NSW government’s Housing 2041 would be shifted out into flats in Western apartments. Strategy (see page 16) and called for Sydney, far from their workplaces, Feminist and left-wing activist Judy the future of a number of inner-city networks and communities, in the Mundey also spoke at the rally. She — public housing estates to be secured. interim. “People should be able to live alongside her late husband Jack Speaking at the rally was Emily close to where they work and stay in Mundey — were instrumental in the Valentine, a resident of the Bay Street their community, for a community to 1970s green bans movement which public housing site in Glebe. function it must include all. The poor are saved a number of historic buildings in “Instead of selling off public housing, being forced out so that the wealthy Miller’s Point. She worries that more the government should be building can gentrify suburbs,” she said. “The public housing estates across the CBD thousands of new public homes each NSW government supports this with its will be lost like the Sirius building was. year, providing many urgently needed Communities Plus 30/70 policy.” “At the time when the Sirius was built, jobs at the same time,” she said. “Sydney Under the Communities Plus model, only some 40 years ago, governments is in the middle of a housing and public housing estates are sold off to still accepted or believed that citizens homelessness crisis. But instead of private developers to create “mixed- deserved quality public housing,” she addressing the causes and effects of occupancy” developments. In an effort said. “Public housing built by the this crisis, the government is making it to “deconcentrate disadvantage” 70 government for the people, is no more worse by selling off public housing percent of dwellings in these buildings an extravagant concept than is public properties.” will be set aside for private properties, education or public healthcare. A home Emily explained that the residents in and 30 percent for social houses. It is is a basic necessity for a decent her estate were told they would be able this kind of development that is set to standard of living.” to move into the redeveloped block replace a number of public housing — Allison Hore courtesy City Hub Concerns over NDIS changes NDIS chief Martin Hoffman the individual will likely result in a amount is not unlimited or open-ended “deeply regrets” claimants’ denial of supports that are required,” — and can’t be.” Independent anxiety over the planned said Women with Disabilities Australia. assessments, he said, were necessary introduction of independent The Victorian Advocacy League for to gather a “consistent, standard and assessments for funding. Individuals with Disability echoed those unbiased set of information” on which As part of a major overhaul, the concerns: “We believe that the NDIA’s to make decisions. National Disability Insurance Agency is proposal for independent assessments When WWDA asked its members trialling the use of independent puts the NDIS that people with disabilities their views on the standardised model assessors who will determine what and their families fought for in danger.” of assessment, the feedback was services — if any — applicants will While acknowledging that independent negative. “As someone with multiple receive. The initiative has been widely assessments — where individuals are issues that do not fit into the standard slammed by the disability sector. evaluated by an unknown health textbook tick boxes,” said one, “I am “We are extremely concerned that practitioner rather than a specialist of very fearful of blanket assessments basic funding decisions on an their choosing — had “caused real fear, that do not take into account people’s assessment conducted by an entirely concern and upset in the disability individual needs and circumstances.” impartial assessor who does not know community”, Hoffman said: “The funding (See page 14)

innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 9 NEWS FEATURE A national shame Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned the following article contains the names of deceased people. Since the publication 30 years ago of the royal commission’s report into Aboriginal deaths in custody, little action has been taken. CHRISTOPHER KELLY reports.

s of going to print, William ‘Bill’ Patrick AAlwyn Haines is Australia’s latest Aboriginal death in custody. He was found unresponsive in his cell at the Cessnock Correctional Centre in April and pronounced dead an hour later. William was 37. It was also April 30 years ago when the findings of the Royal At the protest on 10 April: Leetona Dungay, mother of David Dungay Jr, who died in Long Bay jail in 2015 after being restrained and administered a sedative Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody were March this year. “We are amongst the during a national day of action against released. Shockingly, three most incarcerated peoples on earth Indigenous deaths in custody. During decades on, few of its 339 and have been waiting on real the march through the CBD, protesters recommendations have been government action for too long,” said stopped and called out the names of implemented. Meena Singh, legal director at the the Indigenous victims who have died. “We have been calling on Human Rights Law Centre. “If Placards read: “Justice Now”, “Shame governments to take the deaths of our governments believe that the lives of Australia”, “No Justice No Peace”, people seriously, and end the First Nations people matter, then they “Stop Killing Us” and “No Pride in discriminatory laws, policies and would take urgent steps to remove Australia’s Genocide”. practices that see our people die unjust laws and policies that contribute Among the protesters was Leetona behind bars,” said Change the Record to this crisis of over-imprisonment.” Dungay — mother of David Dungay Jr, Coalition co-chair, Cheryl Axleby. Some of the “urgent steps” being who died in Long Bay jail in 2015 after Describing the inaction as “a source of called for include repealing punitive being restrained and administered a deep national shame and pain”, Axelby bail laws, mandatory sentencing laws, sedative. Leetona and her family said: “If governments are serious about and prison sentences for minor waited six years for the coroner’s ‘closing the gap’, and if — as they say offending; raising the age of criminal findings into David’s death. NSW — our lives matter, then they must take responsibility from ten to at least 14 deputy coroner Derek Lee concluded urgent action to change the years; and replacing the practice of that the prison officers’ conduct was discriminatory practices that drive our police investigating police with “limited by systemic inefficiencies in people behind bars.” independent investigations of deaths in training” and recommended that none The royal commission — which ran custody. Crucially, all of the royal of them face disciplinary action. from 1987 to 1991 — found that the commission’s recommendations should Speaking at the march, Leetona said: primary driver of Aboriginal deaths in be immediately enacted. “Nothing is “The royal commission didn’t get any custody was the mass incarceration of stopping state, territory and the federal justice for the families — not a single First Nations people. That remains the government taking action today,” said police officer or prison guard was case today, with at least 474 Aboriginal Singh. charged or convicted. No more royal and Torres Strait Islander people dying Meanwhile, on Saturday 10 April, commissions, I want real justice. The in custody in the 30 years since — with more than 1,500 protesters marched life of an Aboriginal man is worth eight deaths since the beginning of from Sydney’s Town Hall to the Domain something.” (See page 30)

10 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au NEWS FEATURE Locked into poverty

Australia’s social security net is payments. poverty caused major social and failing to keep vulnerable Lead researcher Associate Professor economic harm, including increased families out of poverty, with Ben Phillips said this modelling costs in justice, health and welfare. She researchers warning the child provided the most cost-effective way of noted 2019 research that found poverty rates for single-parent investing extra money into social Australia spends $15.2 billion every families is set to soar now that security payments. “It clearly indicates year because children and young the coronavirus supplements that a modest increase in funding can people experience serious issues have ended. LUKE MICHAEL make substantial reductions in the requiring crisis services. “We spend reports. most severe forms of financial stress billions of dollars on late intervention and poverty to those who need it for children, so that’s on mental health report from the most,” Phillips said. costs, child protection costs, costs that Australian National BSL and SVA are also calling for an really would be unnecessary if we AUniversity’s Centre for independent review into the structure invested early to support families and Social Research and Methods and rates of social security payments to children to be able to thrive,” she said. reveals that the coronavirus ensure children are not exposed to the “And we all miss out when people don’t supplement — which have the effectively doubled opportunity unemployment to lead payments last March fulfilling, — reduced the engaging proportion of single- and parent families living productive below the poverty lives. So yes, line from 39 percent to there’s a 17 percent. cost to our But now the supplement justice has ended, ANU modelling system and estimates the child poverty our health rates for single-parent system and families will rise above pre- our social pandemic levels to 41 percent — even long-term harmful impacts of poverty welfare system, but there’s also a lot of after factoring in the proposed and financial stress. SVA director of opportunity as a country to draw on the JobSeeker increase of $50 a fortnight. early childhood Emma Sydenham told capabilities of vulnerable people and I Social Ventures Australia (SVA) and Pro Bono News the report was a stark think that’s what we’re really missing the Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) — reminder of the invisible discrimination out on.” which commissioned the research — that affected single-parent families in Sydenham added that achieving are now calling for increased income Australia. change in this area required getting the support levels to ensure children are “I didn’t really think that single- public on board so that governments not living in poverty in Australia. They parent families would experience such can no longer ignore the issue. “Unless point to ANU modelling that shows a 10 discrimination. But this report really there’s strong public support I think it is percent increase (around $12 billion) in highlights that being a single parent really hard to get a significant shift on welfare spending would slash the today in Australia really does create a this,” she said. “But you can’t talk about poverty rates for people on JobSeeker risk of consigning you to a life of early childhood development and from 88 percent to 34 percent. This poverty,” Sydenham said. “And that’s strong outcomes for kids in Australia would give JobSeeker recipients an horrific. It’s something I think we need without talking about our income additional $190 a week and also allow to have many more conversations support system.” for increases to the Disability Support about.” Pension, and the parenting and carer Sydenham said childhood n Source Pro Bono News

innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 11 PLANNING

DESIGNING FOR FLOOD-PRONE CITI As the March floods highlighted, we can’t continue to build cities and towns based on business-as-usual planning principles — especially as these disasters tend to disproportionately affect disadvantaged populations. Elizabeth Mossop explains what’s possible when the political will is there.

t beggars belief this We have learned the hard way we ways to safely allow rivers to expand in needs to be said, but it is cannot effectively “design out” times of flood and to contract when the a government flooding. Instead, we must find ways to rains subside. This cycle of expansion responsibility to keep work with the natural systems of and contraction is normal and natural citizens out of harm’s drainage and catchments. We must for rivers — it is we humans who need Iway. The ongoing plans for create urban systems to accommodate to change. new housing in flood-prone flood waters. That reduces risk to The cities of Rotterdam in the areas such as the Hawkesbury- houses, schools, hospitals, businesses Netherlands and New Orleans in the Nepean Valley directly and other key infrastructure. United States are built on river deltas contravene that. Understanding We have tried channelling rivers with and are at a very high risk of flooding. urban flooding requires us to levees and flood walls and it does not The design strategies used by planners contend with the underlying work — when these constructions fail in these cities provide effective models natural systems over which we (and they usually eventually do), the for reducing flooding harm in Australia. have built our cities and towns. danger is immense. We need to find Since 2001, Rotterdam has been

12 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au Parramatta ferry wharf in flood, March 2021

The goal is to make the city a better over large gravel storage beds to place for all and to promote social absorb and store stormwater. This will cohesion (a necessary ingredient in any take the pressure off the street effort to build climate change drainage. resilience). Water management and The campus of Tulane University in climate adaptation should be factored uptown New Orleans has a into every urban plan and every stormwater masterplan. This has led to project, small or large. the development of a series of Rotterdam’s plans include a range of “stormwater gardens” that can filter different approaches. There are “water and store large volumes of water, squares” that use public open spaces protecting the rest of the site from to store flood waters during times of flooding. heavy rain. These urban sinks can be In downtown New Orleans, where used as hangout spaces on dry days there is little natural ground, new and can hold vast amounts of water in buildings have to find architectural heavy rain, keeping flood water away solutions for water management. from properties. This is very similar to Underneath the tiny alley that leads the approach taken in Sydney’s Victoria into Bar Marilou at the Ace Hotel, Park, where parks are all at a lower massive underground storage tanks elevation than surrounding streets. This manage all of the stormwater for the allows the temporary storage of entire hotel. On the roof deck of the stormwater. Standard Apartments, a “blue roof” The Rotterdam program also filters stormwater through carefully includes other strategies for alternative selected plants. Water is then stored water storage: the removal of hard below the paving and above the surfaces and creation of more green parking deck. space; and the proliferation of green At the Paul Habans Charter roofs and roof landscapes. The goal is School on New Orleans Westbank, the IES to create spaces that can hold and entire school grounds have been absorb rainwater when it falls. converted to clean and store water. transitioning to become a resilient delta Rotterdam’s investment in innovation Students are taught onsite about water city by rethinking its relationship with and development in urban water management and natural systems. In water. The city has developed a series management has led to a new the Green Schoolyard, a formerly of sophisticated plans to address knowledge industry for the city, with flooded area has been redesigned to flooding, as well as other climate businesses and research institutes accommodate planted swales and impacts such as drought and extreme disseminating their expertise water storage. In the Habans heat. worldwide. Stormwater and Nature Centre, a Some plans are enormous in scope, Following the devastation of the workforce development program for involving city-wide strategies. Others levee failures after Hurricane Katrina in Greencorps youth is building an are much more targeted, small-scale 2005, New Orleans has gradually extensive artificial wetland that will projects that can be undertaken by moved to a regime of urban cleanse and store water as well as communities and individual development in which every project provide environmental education. households. You need both. These addresses the need to deal with Change is clearly possible. It might plans are informed by the idea that it’s stormwater and flooding on site. In the not be easy, but as the devastation in not just about applying a technical Lakeview neighbourhood, for example, NSW showed, it is better than the solution. A cultural change is also the street system is being re- alternative. needed, so communities understand engineered to use all of its alleyways the urgency of the climate crisis and as green infrastructure. They will have n Elizabeth Mossop is Dean of Design, why the way we build towns and cities permeable paving and special Architecture and Building, University of has to evolve. vegetated channels called bioswales Technology Sydney

innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 13 LITTLE CHOICE, NO CONTROL A planned overhaul of the National Disability Insurance Scheme has been soundly rejected by the disability sector. Christopher Kelly reports.

he federal their representatives have not been COVID pandemic.) government’s sufficiently consulted or included in Following the first pilot — and proposal to either the decision to introduce despite an acknowledgement that introduce independent assessments or the there were “significant limitations” with independent development of the proposed model of this initial experiment — a review of the Tassessors to review people’s assessments,” said People with National Disability Insurance Scheme eligibility for the NDIS has Disabilities ACT. “The continuing Act 2013 was conducted. The Tune been slammed by Australia’s consultation process has lacked a Review, as it became known, formed disability community. commitment to be responsive to, and the basis for the decision to mandate Under the changes — to be inclusive of, the views of people with the introduction of independent implemented later this year — important disabilities.” Other areas of concern — assessments for all users of the NDIS — decisions about whether a person can and there are many — include: the fixed current and future. However, while the access the scheme and how much time limits of assessments (three hours); Tune Review indicated that the pilot funding they’ll receive will be based on an assessor’s lack of specific disability resulted in “more consistent decisions a mandatory assessment undertaken knowledge or experience; and the use and more equitable plan outcomes for by a health practitioner unknown to the of unproven and oversimplistic participants”, it did not recommend individual being assessed. standardised assessment tools. universal and mandatory roll out of In written submissions to a joint Some background: in 2013, the NDIS independent assessors without user parliamentary committee exploring the was launched to support people with choice or control over who would be proposal, disabled people’s disability to access services and assessing them. organisations and other advocacy resources. However, since its Furthermore, the Tune Review not groups have denounced the move as implementation, the NDIS has come only defended a participant’s right to “retrograde” and “fundamentally under fire for its confusing and choose an assessor appropriate for flawed”. “The disability community is restrictive access processes. their personal circumstance, but also deeply concerned with the introduction Unnecessary barriers have meant that their right to challenge outcomes after of independent assessments and the the NDIS supports only a fraction of assessments were made. So far, changes the National Disability Australia’s disability community — just neither of these recommendations Insurance Agency (NDIA) is proposing,” 10 percent. Following reports of have been included in the reform plans said Children and Young People with difficulties and dissatisfaction with the released by the NDIA. “In absence of Disability Australia (CYDA) in a statement. scheme, the NDIA decided to trial an protections and flexibility for Describing the reforms as “rushed and independent assessment pilot and participants, we are extremely opaque”, CYDA added: “There is a lack review. The first pilot stage began in concerned that basic funding decisions of genuine engagement with the 2019 across nine regions in NSW. (A on an assessment conducted by an communities who will feel the impacts.” second pilot was set to take place in entirely impartial assessor who does It’s a complaint shared across the the first half of last year but was not know the individual will likely result sector. “People with disabilities and discontinued in March 2020 due to the in an incorrect evaluation of an

14 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au NDIS individual’s capacity, and in turn, a disability and their families and problematic for First Nations people, denial of supports that are required,” caregivers, the community consultation culturally and linguistically diverse said Women with Disabilities Australia process offered by the NDIA has been communities, women and girls with (WWDA). narrow and feels disingenuous, which disability, and other groups such as When WWDA asked its members risks exacerbating existing community non-binary people. In its submission, how they felt about the prospect of distrust of the agency,” said CYDA. WWDA voiced serious concerns over being interviewed by a random The Victorian Advocacy League for “the limitations [standardised assessor, the replies demonstrated Individuals with Disability (VALID)— assessments] hold when accounting for “high levels of concern” within the shares such distrust. In VALID’s view: their inherent prejudices towards disability community. “These “The NDIA has failed to produce clear marginalised cohorts of people with [independent assessments] will not evidence to justify compulsory disability”. There are fears that help at all,” said one. “I need specialists assessments. The NDIA has not done standardised assessment tools will fail who are trained in and understand my the work needed to prove to people to accurately capture the experiences disability.” Another said: “I’m terrified. with disabilities and their families that and needs of marginalised populations My history is extremely complex and compulsory assessments will uphold and, in doing so, deny them access. even my GP of 30 years often defers to and protect their human rights. We Socially and economically me on ideas about what might be believe that the NDIA’s proposal for marginalised individuals are also happening inside my body.” A third independent assessments puts the handicapped when it comes to commented: “Having to explain ten NDIS that people with disabilities and accessing the NDIS. Research has years of what my specialist already their families fought for in danger.” found that when disability is overlaid knows to an independent assessor who It’s not just people with disability with socio-economic disadvantage, the may not specialise in a field relevant to and their representative orgs that have capacity for people with disability to my disabilities seems problematic.” concerns over the new assessment participate in a complex program such CYDA survey data further reflects process. Health professionals are as the NDIS becomes challenging to community concern, with 80 percent of worried too. Allied Health Professions say the least. The system as it stands respondents fearful that independent Australia (AHPA) is calling for further favours people with strong English and assessments would affect them information to be made available about literacy skills who are more likely to negatively. “The proposed reforms will the process and for “robust evaluation understand the process and better able introduce unjust and unreasonable measures” to be introduced. to advocate for themselves. “For the mechanisms that will limit the ability for Specifically, AHPA is seeking clarity on NDIS to be truly more effective and people with disability to have a say in “whether the independent assessment fairer,” said the CYDA submission, the decisions that impact their lives,” toolkit is appropriate for all participants “targeting inequities in the service said CYDA. The responses to CYDA’s and types of disability”. system and inequities in navigating the survey are consistent with another When WWDA asked its members service system must be a priority.” conducted by People with Disability their views on the appropriateness of As well as concerns, the sector’s Australia. Around three-quarters of its adopting a one-size-fits-all submissions to the parliamentary members thought that a rapid roll out standardised model of assessment, the committee include a raft of of independent assessments was a feedback was far from positive. “This recommendations. The first of which is “bad” or “extremely bad” idea. Half of topic has concerned me greatly,” said a for the NDIA to halt the overhaul and the respondents reported feeling respondent. “I feel that those who cease the roll out of mandatory “overwhelmed” by the changes, and designed this approach have not really independent assessments. Then, say more than 60 percent said they felt understood the ramifications. Nearly sector orgs, the assessment process “defeated” by the process. everyone with a disability will tell you needs to be re-examined and The NDIA also approached the there is so much more to their disability alternative approaches considered. community for feedback. However, to what is seen on the surface.” Crucially, any redesign of the NDIS respondents were denied an Another added: “As someone with must include “genuine input” from opportunity to voice their opinions on multiple issues that do not fit into the people with disability and their independent assessments. Instead, the standard textbook tick boxes, I am very representative organisations. “This,” consultation process was conducted in fearful of blanket assessments that do says CYDA, “is the only way to ensure such a way that respondents were led not take into account people’s the process upholds the authority, lived to assume that the proposed changes individual needs and circumstances.” expertise and rights of people with were already very much a given and And as the Tune Review identified, disability, and to maintain the true set in stone. “Despite the clear and the implementation of standardised principle of the NDIS — greater choice warranted concerns of people with assessments would be particularly and control.”

innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 15 HOUSING STRATEGY SHORT FALLS As Hal Pawson and Vivienne Milligan discuss, the NSW government’s new 20-year housing strategy gives a broad nod to issues at play while offering few actionable solutions.

ith a example, it contemplates amending Regrettably, few of those features transition planning guidelines to promote appear in the Housing 2041 documents. from stamp housing diversity and sustainability; First, they include no precise duty to land stronger consumer protection and analysis of current housing market tax flagged in support for tenants; “maximising the conditions, nor any quantification of Wtreasurer Dominic Perrottet’s impact of government-owned land to existing unmet housing needs and 2020 NSW budget it appeared achieve the housing vision”; and housing system performance that the state could be on the “rejuvenating” social housing. challenges. Second, detailed modelling brink of major housing system Another positive inclusion is new of demographic forecasts, population reform. governance and coordination structure and inter/intra-regional Compounding this impression, was arrangements — including an expert migration is absent. Such projections the recent release of the housing advisory panel and a housing are essential in planning housing government’s Housing 2041 strategy strategy implementation unit. These supply targets, and never more so and 2021-22 action plan. The state’s could help to confront the policymaking following the disruption caused by the first-ever long-sighted housing strategy challenge posed by housing as a many- COVID-19 pandemic. (emulating Western Australia and the faceted issue badly served by silo Third, lacking concrete analysis as ACT) is a welcome recognition of government. its foundation, stated strategy goals are housing as both a major continuing These strengths apart, though, how extremely high-level in nature. This is challenge and a core policy responsibility convincing are the documents as a revealed by a motherhood vision for of state and territory governments. genuine strategy? Qualities NSW to “have housing that supports In its scope and aspirations the fundamental to the credibility of any security, comfort, independence and document refreshingly recognises the meaningful strategy include: analysis of choice for all people at all stages of range of agencies, powers and policy the problems to be tackled, setting their lives” to be achieved via one-word actions available to state governments clear and measurable goals, identifying “pillars”: supply, diversity, affordability to achieve a better functioning and actions to achieve those goals, and a and resilience. fairer housing system. As well as plan for mobilising resources to Under these headlines, there is little mooting the stamp duty reform, for implement the specified actions. or nothing in the way of definitive

16 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au LONG-TERM PLANNING What is signalled instead is the NSW government’s ongoing enthusiasm to sell off public land and houses to help finance social rental modernisation and replacement. This, unfortunately, is a short-sighted approach, which will result in further loss of public assets and more widespread disruption and displacement for existing tenants in areas attractive to developers. Despite acknowledging the urgency for significant policy change, the strongest underlying message from the Housing 2041 documents is the government’s desire to buy more time. Actions specified for the immediate future are predominantly policy reviews, new administrative processes, and evidence-building through data development and research; the kinds of activities often rightly dubbed “busy work”. One timely exception is government support, previously announced, for a new build-to rent-product that offers potential to both improve consumer housing choices and the functioning of targets and progressive milestones that budget disclosed, relatively little the housing system — respectively, by would be needed to calibrate outcomes additional direct expenditure in this offering longer-term rentals and by on any of these fronts. While there are area is currently envisaged. At a diversifying developer options (and numerous stated aspirations for “more” moment when a long overdue thereby reducing reliance on a build-to- or “improved” levels of activity, these expansion of social and affordable sell model). are empty pledges without specifying housing could supercharge economic NSW government advocacy on this (a) more than what, (b) how much recovery, the best the government topic was also in evidence in planning more, and (c) by when the increased or could come up with on this front minister Rob Stokes’s pointed call enhanced activity will be achieved. was $400 million for additional new for complementary tax reforming Only if defined as such would it be provision (most of the $900 million action from the commonwealth. The possible to assess future policy impact. pledged in this area being for promise of an effective long-term For example, what is the current level renovation rather than construction). housing strategy for NSW has not been of affordable and social housing supply This sits in stark contrast to the fulfilled . . . yet. For now, it appears that across the system against which Victorian government’s Big Housing citizens will have to wait at least two improvements will be judged? What Build — an all-time record investment more years (and until after the next proportion of such housing falls short of of $5.4 billion over four years to election) to discover whether this state acceptable standards and how much achieve over 12,000 additional social can develop a credible housing will this cost to fix? What is the target and affordable housing dwellings, as strategy. That would be one for reducing social housing waiting announced late last year. Not only is offering the scale and scope of reform lists? How many first-home buyers will the NSW equivalent action pale by necessary to reverse the renewed government aim to assist? comparison, a systemic financial deficit trend of worsening housing Similarly, there are few numbers for of nearly $1 billion annually for the affordability; and one with meaningful current or required government efficient and effective upkeep of and measurable goals as well as housing expenditure cited in the existing social housing (as quantified in detailed plans and budgets to achieve documents. Admittedly, these could 2017 by the Independent Pricing and them. instead be provided in annual state Regulatory Tribunal) remains budgets. But as the November 2020 unaddressed in the strategy. n Courtesy UNSW

innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 17 MOORETHE UNSTOPPABLE Ahead of the City election in September, Ben Raue of The Tally Room reflects on the rise of Sydney’s longest-serving lord mayor and wonders what the future will hold.

lover Moore came The next Coalition government reversed their chances in a new City which had to power in the most of those changes, handing parts of been consolidated with a council with City of Sydney in the council to surrounding jurisdictions strong Labor representation. Labor 2004. Her first tilt and placing most of the southern therefore had high hopes for former as lord mayor suburbs into South Sydney council. This Keating government minister Michael Cfollowed a dramatic border left the City with a relatively small Lee who was picked as the party’s change that significantly residential population, and the CBD. 2004 mayoral candidate after he lost expanded the voter base of the The Labor state government merged his seat on the Central Coast at the council beyond the CBD and Sydney and South Sydney in 1982, only 2001 election. the business vote. for a Coalition government to separate However, Clover Moore threw a There is a long history of state the councils in 1989. The South Sydney spanner in Labor’s works. Moore — who governments fiddling with the of the 1990s stretched from Rosebery had been in politics for a quarter of a boundaries of the City for political and Camperdown all the way up to century — was the state MP for Bligh at advantage. This dates back to the first Potts Point. The current council was the time, having held the seat since big expansion in 1949 when the council created in 2004 when the state Labor 1988. Much to Labor’s irritation (whose extended beyond Surry Hills, Kings government amalgamated the suburbs hierarchy referred to Moore as “the Cross and Pyrmont to the borders it of South Sydney with the business- Witch of Oxford Street”), she won the encompasses today. That expansion dominated City of Sydney. Labor had mayoralty comfortably while also took place under a Labor government. good reason to be optimistic about bringing with her on the ticket four

18 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au LOCAL ELECTIONS independent councillors. The win gave Moore’s vote has remained relatively owners and to push those owners into her not only half of the council but — stable over the last four elections. actually exercising this franchise. It was with the lord mayor’s casting vote — Labor and the Greens, meanwhile, largely unsuccessful, however. Although effective control. With the prestige and have lost ground while the Liberal Party the Liberals managed to bolster the roll authority of Town Hall, the new council has gained support. Labor and the by 20,000 businesses, it failed to proved to be a formidable power base. Greens collectively polled over 39 translate into increased turnout for the Thanks to revenue from rates charged percent at the 2004 council election Libs. Other capital city councils such as to big business, it had the resources as with the Liberal Party polling just under Melbourne and Perth are largely well as a significantly larger residential 12 percent. The Liberal vote climbed to captured by business interests in the population. 19.7 percent in 2016, compared to just CBD, but they have much smaller Team Moore has remained in power 17.6 percent for Labor and the Greens. surrounding residential populations. As ever since that 2004 win. In an election This suggests that Moore’s voter base long as a large suburban population is that was “never in doubt”, the team won has shifted to the left over that time. included in the City, they will likely hold a fifth council seat in 2008 with Moore There’s no denying that the Moore sway in local elections. gaining a swing of almost 14 percent on regime has been a thorn in the side of So what of the future? Succession the mayoral ballot. “We are going to the state Liberal government over the planning is always difficult for keep doing what we have been doing, past decade. It must have been independents, both in parliament and maintaining that momentum,” Moore tempting for the party’s apparatchiks to in local council. There are numerous said at the time. “We have a blueprint, consider chiselling away the city’s case studies of strong independent we have a vision, and we have engaged suburbs to reduce the council to a small MPs who retire and pick a successor everybody from locals to the business rump covering just the CBD. Yet the who often will win the seat but lose at community.” The Moore party lost its O’Farrell government chose a different the following election. At a council level fifth seat in 2012, while the leader direction, instead aiming to tweak the there are a number of stories about herself suffered a small reverse swing. electoral system to unseat Moore. local independent machines that fell However, Moore still won the mayoralty First, they changed legislation to from a dominant position to extinction with 51 percent of the primary vote. Then prevent state MPs from running for local as the first generation moved on. came the historic fourth win in 2016. In council (the so-called “get Clover” laws). If Moore does win an unprecedented a landslide, Moore polled almost 58 It’s not uncommon for local councillors fifth run in office, as is likely, she has percent of the primary vote and regained to run for state parliament. There were indicated she will serve the full (three- a fifth councillor. It was, she said, “a dozens of Liberal councillors elected to year) term. Moore has previously real win for grassroots democracy”. parliament in 2011, for instance, but flagged that any of her council allies — For most of the past 17 years, usually they retire from council at the all of whom are running again — could Moore’s team has been cohesive and first opportunity. But for Moore, the potentially turn out to be a strong stable with a gradual changeover of council job was clearly the more candidate for lord mayor. But once she councillors. Yet, on more than one prominent of her two roles. The new hangs up her robes, there will be no occasion, Moore has fallen out with law made Moore choose between her guarantee that her endorsed successor councillors who have struggled to work state seat of Sydney and the lord would hold on to the mayoralty — let under her leadership. The biggest split mayoralty. She subsequently resigned alone a working majority on council in the Moore team took place in 2017 as state MP prior to the 2012 council against three political parties all eager when the lord mayor fell out with her elections, triggering a by-election for a to improve their position. It will be a deputy, Kerryn Phelps. Seen as a seat she had only narrowly retained in delicate transition, and it’s unlikely potential successor for Clover, Phelps 2011. The Liberal Party ran hard for the Moore will wait until the end of her final was given the deputy lord mayoralty in seat against Moore’s hand-picked term before hatching a succession 2016 but left the Moore train a year successor Alex Greenwich, but Greenwich strategy. Moore will be 78 in 2024, at later. Phelps intended to run in this won with a swing of 10.6 percent which point she’ll have held the year’s contest but withdrew in May for compared to Moore’s result in 2011. mayoralty for more than 20 years. personal reasons. Remarkably, over When that effort to unseat Moore When Clover does decide to descend four council elections, no one has come didn’t succeed, the Liberal state the Town Hall steps for the last time, at all close to defeating Moore — and government looked to increase the she will do so knowing her legacy is there doesn’t appear to be much power of the business vote. Non- secure. As for her successor, you can chance of her losing on 4 September. residents have always had some right only hope they have size 14 feet. Perhaps Phelps could have carved off to vote in local council elections in New enough of Moore’s base to pose a South Wales, but legislation was n For more of Ben Raue’s political threat, but we will never know. changed to give two votes to property analysis, visit tallyroom.com.au

innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 19

TURNING ON

THE NEON Kings Cross is undergoing a metamorphosis, but yet to land in a place that rests easy with its history or provide a pathway forward for its future. A new report sets out a vision to revitalise the precinct.

longside images of the Opera House and Bondi Beach, Kings Cross is one of the most internationally recognised places in Australia. Its eclectic history as a bohemian area, a red-light district, home to gangsters and cut throats, movie stars and artists, live music and theatres, dive bars and discos, has Amade it an intriguing place to live or to visit. For the past century it has built a reputation for being vibrant though also naughty, edgy, and gritty — delighting, and sometimes shocking, an often-conservative Sydney. Few places in Australia have as rich as federation and art-deco style soldiers on furlough. a history as King Cross. Prior to white apartment buildings. First during WW2, and then during settlement the area was home to the Initially named Queen’s Cross, the Korean and Vietnam wars, the Gadigal people who used the area as a defined by the intersection of Victoria precinct became home to stylish meeting place and ceremony ground. Street and Darlinghurst Road, the eateries, theatres, burlesque dancers, White settlement saw the area quickly precinct was renamed Kings Cross in dance halls and sex workers, as developed, first as a failed farm, then 1905 after King Edward VII and to entrepreneurs tried every which way to as home for much of the colonial prevent confusion with nearby Queens relieve these servicemen of their establishment who built mansions Square. By 1930, it was the most dollars. This heady, anything-goes along the ridgeline overlooking Sydney densely populated neighbourhood in atmosphere soon attracted artists and and the harbour. As Sydney grew, Australia (a title it still holds). With the writers, political and LGBT activists, and development along the ridge expansion of the nearby Garden Island the sly grog trade. It became a gateway intensified, first as grand Victorian naval port, the precinct became a neighbourhood for new migrants terraces, and then, from 1900 onwards, playground for cashed-up sailors and offering affordable accommodation,

20 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au ARTWORK COMMITTEE FOR SYDNEY An artist’s impression of a revived Kings Cross URBAN RENEWAL easy employment, and squad deployed as a matter of routine.) theatres. The many struggling or a tolerant assimilation. Sydney’s tolerance of alcohol-fuelled boarded-up night clubs and adult And it became a violence eventually reached its limits entertainment venues in the area could playground for the rich and the NSW government responded also be given a new lease of life if they and adventurous with a series of regulatory reforms. were repurposed as performance or seeking a more risqué Bars and nightclubs had their hours of music venues. If the Cross can develop form of entertainment. operation limited, the type of alcohol a critical mass of venues, and across a The economic they could serve and the music they range of sizes and formats, it could stimulus generated by could play proscribed. No new venues build a vibrant night-time economy servicemen saw the selling alcohol were permitted and servicing theatregoers. It could re- Cross develop a patrons were restricted from moving establish its reputation for multicultural thriving night-time around, as venues were required to food and build a network of ‘eat economy and it ‘lock’ them out when they left. The streets’. It could replace its old night- became the place to go reforms saw many venues close down time economy, which was based on when the rest of and Kings Cross’s night-time economy alcohol and destination drinking, with Sydney closed down. moved elsewhere. With its economic one based on destination eating and The 1980s saw most of base — dining and alcohol — now entertainment. the sailors and soldiers curtailed, the precinct drifted. This leave, but by then the decline was accelerated by the COVID- Reclaiming the street Cross had a life of its 19 pandemic which forced an even The role of the street is too often own. Its late-night bars harder lock-down on what little activity overlooked in Sydney. In building our and nightclubs remained. neighbourhoods we focus too much on attracted thousands of The main streets were struggling land use, good architecture, and the visitors from across even before the COVID-19 lock-down. design of buildings, rather than on the Sydney and across the Years of negative press and the lock- much more important places in world. Every night, but out laws had given the Cross a between — the street. The street is especially on tarnished reputation. Whether where the real life of a city happens. weekends, the Cross deserved or not, many Sydneysiders Good high streets are people places became a mass of over still don’t see the Cross as a nice place and their use for cars and transport 20,000 people seeking to dance and to visit. The servicemen are long gone, only ever a secondary consideration. drink the night away, and the local and the Sydney community has made it Wherever possible, footpaths should be economy became increasingly based clear that few want the party buses to widened to allow more space for on alcohol. return. So how do we support pedestrians and kerbside dining. Along with alcohol came drugs as economic revitalisation? How do we Footpaths need to be clear of well as crime — organised and attract people to work in the Cross unnecessary clutter to allow more disorganised. The combination of during the day or visit at night? space for those critically important “destination drinking,” drugs and vice ingredients that make a good high slowly changed the perception of the A precinct that sings street — trees, furniture, and seating. Cross. What was once seen as a Live performance, in all its forms, could Where Darlinghurst Road crosses “naughty-but-nice” place, was provide a means of attracting new William Street needs particular increasingly associated with late-night visitors (and their wallets) to the Cross. attention. The area is festooned with a brawling, party buses, and gangs of Live performance — be it music, multiplicity of traffic lanes travelling stranded drunk people looking for a cabaret, theatre, drama, or comedy — every which way, which makes the way home. In the late 1990s, the NSW is the mainstay of many urban precincts place particularly unpleasant for the government implemented a number of across the world, and for good reason. pedestrian. The six lanes of traffic could reforms aimed at “cleaning up Kings People going to a show or performance be reduced to a single lane in each Cross”, including the construction of a often stop at a bar or restaurant on direction, reflecting the number of new high-profile police station and their way and will stay for a late-night lanes to the north of the intersection, various other place management meal or drink when the show is over. creating greater space for a pedestrian reforms, ultimately including the first More importantly, they are unlikely to plaza, and reknitting north and south medically supervised safe-injecting drink to excess or engage in anti-social Darlinghurst Road back together. The centre in Australia. (In 2005, Kings behaviour. resultant space can then host cultural, Cross joined Johannesburg as the only Here the Cross has a head start. It is creative, and night-time activities, two places in the world to have the riot home to several small-to-medium-sized enticing people to traverse the

innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 21 currently hostile area. Fixing this and new development should be grid would be a network of 24-hour intersection — the actual cross from incentivised to include green roofs and economy hubs that are activated, well- which the Cross gets its name — is a vertical gardens. connected and promoted as a whole. must. Kings Cross, as Sydney’s historic night- Darlinghurst Road isn’t the only Lighting the way time hub, should be the start of this street which needs attention. The side In the 1950s, the Cross was famous for grid. Setting a goal to have the precinct streets and laneways also need to be its neon signs, which lit the main streets be the first location certified would shift afforded a wider role then just for and laneways with an array of colour the narrative for the precinct as a servicing local buildings, rat-running and movement. The famous Coca Cola vibrant place, while providing confidence cars, and waste removal. These are sign is just a small remnant of what was that a safe, diverse offering is available. places in their own right. Wherever once a glistening neon boulevard. Last possible, they should be activated with year, the NSW government released its Improving connectivity commercial and social activities 24-hour economy strategy, setting out If the Cross is successful in building a including alfresco dining. Dead-end an agenda to support night-time more vibrant day and night-time lanes and cul-de-sacs should be economic, social, and cultural activity economy, it needs to be better extended with through-site links in new across Sydney. The strategy is built on connected to the rest of the city. How people get to and from Kings Cross, how they move around once there, needs significant improvement and work. Several reports over recent years have called for the state government to run the eastern suburbs rail longer so visitors are not stranded. While extending the hours of operation of the railway is an important first step, fixing the amenity and experience of the Kings Cross station itself is the next. This station is the principal gateway to the Cross. It’s how most residents and workers get to and from the precinct and it provides the all- important first impression for new The Cross still has all the ingredients visitors. Sadly, this 1970s underground bunker of a structure presents a poor- for making a great and vibrant place: a quality front door. While the station is wonderful street network, intersected what it is and won’t be rebuilt anytime soon, there are things we can do to with interesting lanes and parks; great improve its functionality and transport access; a rich and beautiful presentation. Better lighting and signage are a must, and the visitor experience architecture. In short, the Cross has could be improved with public art. great bones on which to build a great The Cross still has all the ingredients for making a great and vibrant place. It place and a great future. has a wonderful street network, intersected with interesting lanes and development. As much as is possible community sentiment that Sydney’s parks. It has great transport access with they should be pedestrianised to make night-time experience has been getting connections to the City Rail network, and them safer and more interesting. worse over the years and a desire to easy access to the CBD. It has a rich Wherever possible, sections of the diversify the offering away from and beautiful architecture. And it has a kerbside lane should be turned into alcohol-based activities. It sets out a great and colourful history. In short, the parklets or to provide more space for wide range of recommendations to Cross has great bones on which to street trees. Council’s current policy of improve our 24-hour economy, build a great place and a great future. encouraging roof-top gardens and underpinned by the appointment of a plantings is also strongly supported “neon grid” across Sydney. The neon n Source: Committee for Sydney

22 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au PUBS

TIME AT THE BAR With the Green Park sold and the Hollywood on the market, Christopher Kelly laments the closure of two of Sydney’s iconic hotels.

hen I heard the news very rare city fringe hotel exhibiting all continues: “A space that will allow that the Hotel key fundamentals astute purchasers vulnerable members of the community WHollywood was up are seeking”. The four-storey, art-deco- to meet and feel a sense of belonging for sale I could’ve cried into my fronted venue that straddles Foster and will come at the cost of losing space beer. Hunt streets in Surry Hills comes that allowed vulnerable members of The sale of the Hollywood — as it’s complete with a late licence and pokie the community to meet and feel a affectionately known to locals — machines. There’s also a first-floor sense of belonging.” It requires a stiff follows the death in 2019 of owner residence, with nine accommodation drink to wrap your head around that Doris Goddard. A one-time Hollywood rooms up above. While no price tag has kind of logic. While acknowledging that actress, Doris left Tinseltown in the late yet been revealed, similar properties “the local area and vulnerable people 1970s and built up a portfolio of inner- have gone under the hammer for up to will benefit from this sort of facility”, city pubs, including the West End Hotel $10 million. member for Sydney Alex Greenwich in Balmain and the Marlborough in With its “mixed-use repositioning said: “I join locals in mourning the loss Newtown. She purchased the possibilities”, what the Hollywood will of what is a great hotel. The Green Park Hollywood in 1977 for $178,000. become once it’s sold is anyone’s has been a safe, accepting, and fun Working in an office directly next door guess. If it remains a pub, it will no space for LGBTQI+ communities.” for a number of years, I considered the doubt be snapped up by a corporate Particularly irksome for locals was Hollywood to be something of a second chain and cleansed of all character. the lack of transparency over the sale; home. Many an evening I’d be supping More likely than not — with “scope to the deal was done quietly and quickly. schooners and sharing yarns with half- triple in size and a rooftop with CBD And questions have been raised as to cut colleagues. More often than not, views”— it will be converted into a why St Vincent’s couldn’t have you’d find a kaftan-clad Doris propped boutique apartment block. One thing’s purchased another venue nearby. up on her stool at the bar, a customary certain, the Hollywood will never be the “Surely,” asked Liberal councillor red wine in hand. When it was time for same again. Christine Forster at the time, “with so Doris (then in her late 70s) to retire for Neither will the Green Park Hotel in much local commercial real estate the evening, we’d shout out a cheery Darlinghurst. Sold last year by Solotel empty, St Vincent’s could find an goodnight. Doris would respond with a to St Vincent’s Hospital for between $5 alternative site and this great old pub smile and a regal wave before tottering to $10 million, “the Greenie” is destined could be preserved.” Unfortunately, upstairs. Despite its name — and aside to become a mental health outreach that wasn’t the case. Despite a from a disco ball — the Hollywood centre. Bought in part because of its grassroots campaign to save the wasn’t glitzy or glam. Like its late “warmth charm”, Vinnies plans to turn Greenie, the 128-year-old pub served owner, it had seen better days and had the site into “an alcohol-free its last drinks on 20 December 2020. remained “historically intact” for 80 community facility” while “maintaining Add O’Malleys Hotel in Kings Cross to years. But that was its charm. Scuzzy all the best elements of the local pub”. the list of recent closures and it seems chic we called it. But as Benedict Brook writes on Sydney’s historic pubs are disappearing Now in the hands of HTL Property, news.com.au, “The best element of a as fast as schooners during a six ‘o’ the Hollywood is being marketed as “a pub — is that it’s a pub!” Brook clock swill.

PHOTOS LEFT MARK RICHARDS innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 23 RIGHT MICK ROBERTS TESTING

TIMES A spate of deaths across Australia has renewed calls for a move away from the current punitive approach to drug taking towards policies of harm-minimisation. Jake Kendall reports.

ollowing an investigation into a cluster of five drug- related deaths in Melbourne, a Fcoroner has recommended the Victoria government implements an illicit drug-checking service as “a matter of urgency”. Delivering her findings, Paresa Spanos said: “If we accept there are unlikely to be any major changes to drug regulation in the foreseeable future, or any changes in an individual’s preparedness to use illicit drugs, Victorians will continue to be exposed professor of medicine at Monash related to their illegality.” to the risks of unregulated drug markets.” University. “Specifically, the availability The unregulated nature of the drug She added: “The evidence available to of facilities to allow young people at market in Australia means anything me supports a finding that there is venues or events where drug taking is goes when it comes to drug production. broad support for a drug-checking acknowledged to be likely, to seek “People manufacturing drugs such as service and drug early warning network advice about the substances they’re ecstasy pills will sometimes cut pills as evidence-based interventions — at considering ingesting.” with other substances or substitute least among those with knowledge and Quite clearly, a different approach to other more dangerous drugs entirely,” expertise in harm minimisation.” drug taking needs to be explored. said McLay. As well, MDMA and other A similar call for drug checking was High-visibility and punitive policing drugs are becoming ever more potent, made by a NSW coroner in 2019 after operations — such as random searches presenting risks to users in terms of an inquest into the deaths of six young and sniffer dogs — are not only overdosing. “People are often unaware people at music festivals over two ineffectual and a waste of resources, of the health risks involved in summers. Back then, deputy state but counterproductive. A heavy police consuming MDMA and other illicit coroner Harriet Grahame described the presence at a festival, for instance, drugs,” said McLay. “Drug checking evidence to support pill testing as often precipitates panic ingestion and provides us with a unique opportunity “compelling”. “Drug checking,” she dangerous preloading, increasing the to respond to the risks effectively.” said, “is simply a harm-reduction risk of illness or death. “The reality is,” So how would a drug-checking strategy that should be trialled as soon said Miki McLay, a teaching associate service work at a music festival, say? as possible in NSW.” at Monash University’s department of Well, using overseas models as Public health experts agree. “The criminology, “regardless of the efforts examples, a typical drug-checking evidence presently available is of law enforcement, there continues to centre would comprise a mobile lab, a sufficient to justify the careful be a significant market for illegal drugs sampling area, and a counselling area. introduction of pill testing around in Australia. The primary risks After submitting a sample for testing, Australia,” said Paul Komesaroff, associated with use of party drugs are users would receive unbiased health

24 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au DRUGS information and offered access to a example, has consistently argued that deaths in the US and New Zealand. range of services. Once the drug drug checking sends the “wrong “When a patron was told that their drug sample has been analysed, the message” to young people and would was not what they expected it to be, festivalgoer will be told of the risks of give them “a false sense of security”. they were less likely to take that drug,” consuming the substances identified. She instead thinks people should “just concluded the report. Anonymised information about the say no” to drugs altogether. However, The report’s lead researcher, Anna sample is then usually shared with other that campaign sailed and failed a long Olsen, said the fact the pill-testing consumers, emergency departments and time ago. Indeed, 2019 data from the service led to harm reduction law enforcement. Results from analyses National Drug Strategy Household behaviours was a key marker of a are also retained by researchers for the Survey shows drug usage rates in favourable outcome. “For people who monitoring of trends in the illicit drug Australia the highest they’ve been in went on to take the drug they had market and used to contribute to almost 20 years — particularly among tested, we found evidence for risk- scientific research, policymaking, people in their 20s and 30s. reducing behaviours such as taking policing, and emergency healthcare. Berejiklian’s opposition to pill testing less of the drug, spacing out their drug A common criticism of drug-checking goes against the implicit advice of the consumption and taking other safety services is that they promote drug use. commissioner who led the state’s ice precautions like drinking lots of water,” It’s a view McLay firmly rejects. inquiry. Professor Howard delivered a she said. The ACT health and youth “Evidence would suggest that people four-volume report containing 104 minister, Rachel Stephen-Smith, has don’t end up consuming more illicit recommendations to the government in urged other governments to seriously substances as a result of a drug- January last year. The government consider implementing a similar drug- checking service. Drug-checking immediately ruled out five key checking service. “Across the country services effectively encourage people recommendations, including operating we have seen too many avoidable who use illicit drugs to modify their more supervised injecting centres, deaths. It is obvious current processes behaviours in ways that reduce the relinquishing sniffer dogs, and and policies are not working and more risks of harm to their health.” implementing pill testing. “Courage in needs to be done.” Detractors of the scheme also say that relation to drug policy reform I think is The Melbourne deaths are a tragic drug checking would imply that taking very weak,” said Howard. “This is a once- example of that. Thinking they were illicit drugs is safe. Again, McLay in-a-generation opportunity to get this taking MDMA or magic mushrooms, the strongly disagrees. “Every drug- right, and I think we’re blowing it, frankly.” five young men who died had checking service out there operates on So far, only the ACT has introduced a unknowingly consumed a combination a harm-reduction basis. Even with pill-testing policy, the aim of which is of highly potent psychoactive substances: precise testing,” said McLay, “service “to provide guidelines for event 25C-NBOMe and 4-Fluroamphetamine staff never tell users that what they are organisers to incorporate pill testing (4-FA). Monica Barratt — a senior taking is safe. Because with all drugs and other harm-reduction measures research fellow at RMIT University — the level of risk depends a lot on the into event planning to promote patron was an expert witness at the coronial characteristics of the person and the health and safety”. While keen to inquest into their deaths. “I argued if environment. Services provide demonstrate its commitment to the the deceased had known the drugs information on contents, the risks National Drug Strategy, the ACT contained 25C-NBOMe combined with involved, and how to reduce them.” government considers pill testing to be 4-FA, it’s reasonable to presume they It appears sceptics of the scheme “a sensible approach to limiting the either wouldn’t have taken them or are at odds with most Australians, two- dangers of illicit drug use at ACT events”. may have avoided snorting them in thirds of whom are in favour of pill The move to implement a pill-testing favour of a less risky route, such as testing at music festivals. About 63 policy came after an independent swallowing.” Barratt believes that — “in percent of respondents to a survey review confirmed a trial in Canberra the current context of drug prohibition” conducted by the Australian National encouraged users to discard unsafe — drug checking is “the most University agreed that pill testing should drugs. An evaluation of pill testing at promising pathway to reduce harm be employed at festivals, including 33 Groovin the Moo in April 2019 declared among people who use drugs” in percent who strongly agreed. While the the trial of 234 festivalgoers a success Australia. However, added Barratt: “It’s findings clearly show majority support because “all those who had a very important to acknowledge that if we for drug checking, the idea has largely dangerous substance detected had a legalised and regulated supply of been dismissed by politicians across disposed of that drug in the amnesty MDMA, we wouldn’t need to analyse the country — despite high-profile bin”. These included seven people samples to work out what’s in them.” cases of deaths at music festivals. whose pills were found to contain a NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian, for highly toxic chemical associated with n Source material by Miki McLay

innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 25 POLICE RELATIONS BROUGHT TO

JUSTICE? The NSW police officer who was filmed slamming an Aboriginal teenager face-first to the ground in Surry Hills in June 2020 has been charged with two counts of assault. Alec Smart reports.

SW Police mainstream media — took place at remonstrating with the male officer released a Ward Park adjacent to the Northcott who kicked him over. statement on Estate high-rise social housing complex NSW Police responded to the public 4 May confirming in Surry Hills. The footage began during backlash after the video went viral, an as-yet a discussion between youths and declaring on 2 June 2020 that the Nunnamed male constable was police on whether police officers Surry Hills officer who was filmed face- issued with a court attendance should use swear words while on duty. slamming the Indigenous teenager into notice to answer charges of The altercation involved three police the ground had been placed on assault occasioning actual officers — one male and two females — “restricted duties”. Police Professional bodily harm and common and at least three Indigenous youths Standards announced they were assault. Furthermore, 11 (including the one recording the launching an investigation into the months after the incident, the interaction on his phone). incident. Despite this — and the officer’s ongoing employment In the video, the male officer (the damage to relations between police was now “under review”. The Surry Hills constable since charged with and the Indigenous community — officer is due to appear before assault) denies an accusation from the senior commanders refused to Downing Centre Local Court in 16-year-old that he’d been swearing. condemn his actions. NSW’s highest- central Sydney on Thursday, He challenges the lad, saying: “I didn’t ranked officer, police commissioner 24 June 2021. say that at all mate — you need to open Mick Fuller, insisted the constable’s The constable, from Surry Hills up your ears!” The boy responds: actions were justified because he was command, was filmed with a mobile “What? I heard you from over here, I “having a bad day”. phone on 1 June 2020 reacting don’t need to open up my ears. I’ll Fuller, who controversially defended violently to backchat from a 16-year-old crack your f**king jaw bro!” NSW Police policy of strip-searching Aboriginal youth. The exchange, which The constable then apparently loses children without parental supervision — took place around 5.30pm, ended with his temper, and marches over to the including the unethical targeting of girls the officer employing a “leg-sweep” boy, demanding, “What was that? What under 18 made to undress and squat for and kicking the boy’s feet out from was that? Turn around.” The policeman intimate inspections — told Sydney’s under him, causing the victim to land quickly spins the boy around and clasps 2GB radio on 3 June that his officer face-first on a brick-paved footpath. his hands behind his back, and was justified. “The fact that this officer The boy sustained chipped teeth, cuts although the boy doesn’t resist, the doesn’t have a chequered history and to his knee, face and elbow, and a officer suddenly uses his boot to kick he has been in [the police] for three- bruised shoulder. He was taken to St the teenager’s legs sideways. The teen and-a-half years, if the complaint is Vincent’s Hospital afterwards for X-rays immediately falls forward and lands sustained against him, you would have to check for possible fractures. face-first on the footpath. The victim is to say he has had a bad day,” The disturbing mobile phone heard moaning in pain while the two Commissioner Fuller said. “I am sure footage of the original incident — female officers assist in restraining him most of the community wouldn’t want which was posted to the internet and face-down on the ground. Meanwhile, to see someone who has made a shared widely on social and the boy’s friends can be heard mistake sacked after making such a

26 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au Three stills in sequence left to right from footage of the alleged assault

commitment to the community.” of the original community, we would be boy on his face was now facing two NSW police minister David Elliott, charged and let the court decide.” charges of assault, Karly Warner, chief also downplaying the dangerous leg- On 3 June, two days after the face- executive officer of the Aboriginal Legal sweep employed by the police flinging incident, the victim’s family — Service NSW and ACT, said: “You can’t constable, said he was “horrified” by who can’t be named for legal reasons have justice without accountability. the language the Aboriginal teenager — held a press conference and Police should be subject to the same used. “I was just as disturbed about the demanded the constable involved be laws that apply to the community. We threat from a young person to charged with assault. They also called welcome this step towards justice. We physically assault a police officer as I for an end to “police investigating are routinely harassed, stopped, was with the response from the police police”. “Because we’re Aboriginal, we questioned, and searched by police for officer,” Elliott said. see a lot of this all the time. We no reason. We are refused bail at Despite the comments by Fuller and experience extra obligations to answer higher rates and disproportionately Elliot, NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian to people: who we are, where we’re pursued through the courts for minor said that, after seeing the footage, “we going, what we’re doing, when we’re offences.” still have a long way to go in our just walking along.” A spokesperson for the boy’s family country” towards responsible policing. The injured lad’s sister told the said in a public statement that they Mick Willing, NSW police assistant media: “When you see the way these were “happy with the way this is now commissioner, also admitted he was people [police] treat our people, it is proceeding, legally and fairly”. “We “concerned”. On 2 June 2020, Willing frightening . . . This highlights the know we cannot discuss the details of hosted a press conference addressing treatment our people have been this case now that charges have been the violent video, stating that “an experiencing for years when there laid. We as a family cry and share the independent investigation has been aren’t any cameras around . . . The grief and pain of the families who have commenced by our Professional frustration of being constantly targeted had the lives of their young Black sons Standards Command. That by police is heavy and not being able to and daughters taken away from them investigation will be conducted place your trust in people who are violently by police and custodial thoroughly and openly.” employed to protect you is sad and authorities. Aboriginal people across Lawyer George Newhouse, founder worrisome. It comes increasingly hard Australia have been unfairly treated, of the National Justice Project human to feel safe when the police do not racially vilified, and systematically rights legal service, said: “The family have a good connection to their oppressed since 1788. We look forward want charges to be laid against this communities.” to the law being applied with fairness officer. Not an investigation where After NSW Police revealed on 4 May and justice.” police are investigating police. If this was 2021 that the Surry Hills constable anyone else, you or me or any member responsible for flinging the Aboriginal n Courtesy Sydney Sentinel

innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 27 ABORIGINAL LEGAL SERVICE The beginnings of a movement

This year marks the 50th Penrith, Tony Coorey, and James Country and being able to absorb the Wedge — started monitoring and strength of the organisations like the anniversary of the Aboriginal recording the everyday experience of Aboriginal Legal Service.” Legal Service. Here’s how it police brutality and harassment. They The social and individual bravery of approached white lawyers, trade union those original Redfern activists, which all began. groups and university students — none led to the successful establishment of of whom had any idea about the scale the ALS, inspired others. Aboriginal and n Inner Sydney in the of discrimination, nor the notorious non-Aboriginal people throughout 1960s, police were curfew imposed on Aboriginal people Australia began taking their own steps Ienforcing a curfew at night in Redfern and the surrounding areas. towards solving community policing that solely targeted Aboriginal One of the people enlisted to the cause and legal problems confronting people. Aboriginal people was Hal Wootten — then dean of the Aboriginal people. walking the streets in Redfern, UNSW Faculty of Law and, later, a In 1973, the ALS voted into office its Newtown, Alexandria, and supreme court judge. Wootten and first full Aboriginal council, putting into Chippendale were subject to colleagues visited local hotels to confirm working practice Aboriginal self- arbitrary, violent arrest and the claims made by the Aboriginal determination. The involvement of detention by police. community. The allegations of police Aboriginal people in both management At night, when Aboriginal people abuse and intimidation were affirmed. and service delivery was critical to met at local hotels, police often blocked By the end of 1970, from a single tailoring the ALS to the needs of First the nearby streets with paddy wagons shop-front office in Redfern, a group of Nations communities. Women and men before closing time. They would move practicing lawyers regularly who were leaders in their own into the hotels and force Aboriginal volunteered their time and expertise in communities were elected as field customers out onto the streets. They support of the activists’ mission. officers, and the same resourcing were then indiscriminately arrested and Volunteer groups of young law model applied to staff. What began in held overnight in the cells, where they students also offered their time to Redfern, soon spread throughout the were often brutalised. At this time, no arrange bail, interview Aboriginal rest of the country. By 1974, there was access to effective legal representation people in lock-up, and prepare an ALS in every state and territory existed for Aboriginal people. As a defences cases. The goal was to throughout Australia. result. many appeared unrepresented provide representation, reduce Today, the Aboriginal Legal Service in court, and simply pleaded guilty. incarceration and stop police has a network of 24 offices across NSW “Our people were blatantly targeted, harassment of Aboriginal people. After and the ACT. The service continues to arrested and charged with nonsense having received a $20,000 grant from provide free support and offences like public drunkenness, the federal government, the activists representation in areas of criminal law, offensive behaviours and offensive and volunteers were able to formally family law, children’s care and language,” said ALS chair Mark Davies establish the first Aboriginal Legal protection, and rental and tenancy — at the launch, in April, of an exhibition Service in Australia. By early 1971, the advice. “This movement belongs to marking the 50th anniversary of the ALS had handled over 550 cases, the each and every Aboriginal and Torres organisation. “The ever-present threat vast majority criminal. Islander people — it is made stronger of these charges, along with a nightly “The beating heart of Redfern and by the support of many allies,” said curfew, were designed to keep us under the self-determination that lives here is Davies. “We are proud of what we have the thumb of the police and state.” because of the legal service,” said achieved over the years, but the work Influenced by the Black Power shadow minister for Indigenous is not done. We need ongoing support movement in the US, a group of Australians, Linda Burney, also at the so that we are around for 50 years Redfern activists — that included Paul exhibition launch. “I remember myself more.” and Isabel Coe, Gary Foley, Billy and as a very young Aboriginal woman Lyn Craigie, Gary Williams, Bronwyn moving to Sydney from Wiradjuri n Source Aboriginal Legal Service 28 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au TRANS RIGHTS Kill the bill On 17 April, trans developmental years at school with a teacher as their guide. To have protesters and their allies the law prevent educators from took to Taylor Square to being able to support their students is wrong and inhumane. oppose an anti-trans To have the law state that teachers education bill. At the rally, cannot educate their students queer non-binary primary about trans and gender-diverse people and to respect them is school educator Sam cruel. To prohibit school Guerra delivered an counsellors from affirming trans and gender-diverse students and impassioned speech. not be able to offer them support or referrals is evil. To threaten a ast August, I discovered about my choices and as I navigated teacher’s job because they supported Mark Latham had my way through school I was bullied one of their students who is coming to Lproposed a terrifying and excluded because I was different. terms with their identity is heartless. education legislation My educators in primary school thought Our trans and gender-diverse students amendment bill in the NSW the solution was to force me to play already suffer. They don’t feel safe, and parliament. If passed, the bill only with my male peers . . . but it only they haven’t for way too long. It is the would prohibit schools from made me more confused. I was sent to responsibility of teachers and schools teaching that trans and an all-boys secondary school, which to create a safe space for all their gender-diverse people exist, or only made it harder for me. students — no matter how they choose that trans kids should even be I began to believe something was to identify. No law should interfere with treated with respect. It will extremely wrong with me. I had no one that. To Mark Latham and all your prohibit school counsellors to confide in and I began to feel very lost. supporters, let it be known that if I was from affirming trans or gender- Unfortunately, I made it all the way ever put in a position where a student of diverse students and prevent through my schooling life, hiding my mine confided in me about their confusion them from providing them with identity in the closet as I never felt with their gender or their identity and any support or referrals. It will comfortable or supported enough to be the law prevented me from supporting put teachers at risk of losing my authentic self. As I stepped into them, I would not hesitate to put my job their job when they support a adulthood, I realised no one could tell me on the line to support this student. trans or gender-diverse student. how to behave, act or identify anymore. As I navigate my way through my new When I heard about Mark Latham’s I tried it their way and it didn’t work and journey as a teacher, I will put in my all bill I knew I had to do something, so I realised that now it’s time to do it my to create a safe and inclusive classroom started an online petition. After just one way. From that moment on, I’ve been and school — one that I needed many week, the petition had received over able to become my fully realised queer, years ago when I was a student. To all 10,000 signatures. (By the time it was non-binary self — and love who I am. the trans and gender-diverse students delivered to NSW Greens and Labor When I chose to study education, I and community, know that I hear you, politicians, it had amassed more than made it my mission to not only educate that I see you and that I am here for you. 112,000 signatures.) I created the students on how to accumulate the I will continue to speak and fight for you petition in the middle of an important knowledge and skills necessary for until we are treated equally and feel time in my life. I was in my final their later lives, but also to educate safe in whichever community we are a semester of my master’s degree and in them, support them, and guide them part of. Let’s continue to fight until this the middle of a personal discovery: that through crucial developmental stages bill amendment is thrown out of I identify as gender non-binary. that will help them to also realise their parliament. Let’s send a message to Growing up, I struggled with gender. true selves and identity. But if Latham’s people like Mark Latham that we no I was born male, but I never felt I fit bill passes, I am now afraid the law will longer choose to hide. We will fight within the binary of what is perceived prevent me from doing that. until we are seen and heard — and to be male. I was made to feel wrong A child spends much of their cannot be ignored. PHOTO ALLISON HORE innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 29 A failure to keep us safe

Until it is properly colonisation is When people ask framed as something acknowledged me why Aboriginal that happened over that centuries of people offend so 200 years ago. As long as we continue ill-treatment of much, I try to look to believe the Aboriginal people through their lens; devastation of is linked to our to find the question colonisation is only imprisonment and they are actually — in the past, we can opinion or should be — never heal. The deaths in custody, asking. dispossession of our circumstances land took away our ancestors’ will not improve, which led to homelessness and low connection to home. The same land writes Meena Singh. self-worth which led to self-medication was given to white people to use and and criminal activities. prosper from; to pass down to their Any of these experiences could children and create intergenerational overnments on both sides upend a life that was otherwise on track wealth. of politics tell us that to be long and healthy. With so much Policies to stop Aboriginal people Glaw-and-order policies evidence reinforcing the connection speaking their own language combat crime; that by charging between socio-economic disadvantage, prevented cultural practices and and detaining more people, by trauma, disability, family violence and intricate knowledge being passed giving ever-increasing budgets abuse with behaviour that traps people between generations. Aboriginal to police, by building more and in the criminal legal system, we need to children who were removed from their bigger prisons, our ask why society does not look after its families were often abused and forced communities will be kept safe. most vulnerable better. into slave labour. This undermined But the evidence tells a very Thirty years ago, the royal cultural and familial identity and was different story. Keeping us safe starts commission into Aboriginal deaths in often accompanied by the deliberate much, much earlier. Our health system custody found that Aboriginal people and sustained entrenchment of knows this. Prevention is far better than were more likely to die in custody than disadvantage through the denial of treatment. During COVID-19, the public non-Aboriginal people because we wages and exclusion from work. health response has centred on keeping were more likely to be in custody in the When a community sustains this kind us safe by preventing its spread, first place. Sadly in these 30 years little of ill-treatment for over 200 years, the because if we prioritise treatment, has changed. Aboriginal people are still trauma is long lasting and deep. Until it more people will be exposed, get sick being locked up and dying in prison at is properly acknowledged as the source and die. So why doesn’t the criminal alarming rates. In the month to Easter, of Aboriginal overrepresentation in legal system use the same approach? five Aboriginal people died in custody. arrest rates, imprisonment and deaths When I practised criminal law, I Right now, we represent three in custody, our lives will not improve. could clearly see the point in a person’s percent of the Australian population, When people ask me why Aboriginal life when things started to go wrong; but make up nearly 30 percent of the people offend so much, I try to look when life spiralled out of control as one prison population. If non-Aboriginal through their lens; to find the question negative event — like losing a job or prisoners were dying at the rates that they are actually — or should be — falling sick — led to another, and they Aboriginal prisoners are, there would asking. What keeps us safe, and what became trapped in the revolving doors be outrage. But — as we’ve seen too will stop more deaths in custody? The of the justice system. Financial often — black lives truly don’t matter. answer most definitely is not the quick instability led to repeatedly moving for Most of the ‘events’ that could upend fix of big prisons and tougher bail employment or cheap housing, which an individual life 30 years ago continue legislation. led to children missing out on school. to destroy Aboriginal lives today. Instead, we need to invest in social Trauma from family violence or child Why? Because of colonisation, and abuse led to disconnection from family the racism at its core. Too often, continues page 31 30 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au Women are fed up

Federal MP for Sydney, — these can all be excruciating.

And even then, only a tiny fraction opinion Tanya Plibersek, of these cases ever ends in says violence against conviction. An estimated one in ten rapes is reported to police in women in Australia is a the first place. In NSW, of the ‘national crisis’. 15,000 alleged sexual assaults reported to the police in 2018–19, he revelations of just three percent ended in guilty sexual assault in verdicts. This is a broken system. Tfederal politics, the I want more rapists in gaol. Most Marches 4 Justice held importantly, I want to prevent across our cities and towns rape from being committed in the — these events have sparked age of fifteen has experienced sexual first place. an outpouring of sadness, assault, and 72 percent of women have These aren’t new problems. There frustration, anger, and experienced sexual harassment, and are decades of reports sitting on the ultimately hope. one in three women has experienced prime minister’s desk about women’s I attended the Canberra march with domestic violence, and around one safety. I began work on the National Plan our leader Anthony and the rest of my woman a week is murdered by a to Reduce Violence Against Women federal colleagues. Not since Kevin former or current partner, violence and Children in 2007. Since then, we’ve Rudd’s Apology have I seen a bigger against women is a national crisis. had reports by the Family Law Council, crowd on the parliament lawns. The march might have been the Law Reform Commission, the At the March 4 Justice and on prompted by events in parliament, but Human Rights Commission. We’ve had International Women’s Day, I’ve spoken it was about all women: the new army state-led reviews and royal to people from around Australia: recruit, the doctor doing her internship, commissions. We’ve had parliamentary working women and high-school the bus driver, the cleaner or nurse or committee reports. The students; mums and dads; grandmothers factory worker or shop assistant recommendations are there. The work who were protesting in the seventies — experiencing harassment at work. It has been done. What we really lack is a and who are now marching with their was about the girl feeling government willing to act on them. grandkids. Unionists and party uncomfortable at school; or the woman Yet for all the sadness and anger, members who’ve been fighting sexism being abused in residential aged care; there’s also hope. The generation of all their political lives. These or the women abducted by a stranger inspiring young women whose bravery conversations have been raw. Women or bashed or murdered by someone has made this possible will need our and men have disclosed abuse they who said he loved her. backing in coming months and years. and their loved ones have experienced. It’s time to change attitudes and it’s Women like Grace Tame, Saxon Mullins, There’s been exhaustion (“are we still time to change laws. Government has a Brittany Higgins, and many, many more having this same conversation?”) and role in both. Our justice system is are demanding change. We must some guilt too (“we thought we would stacked against victims of sexual deliver for them — and with them. have it fixed by now — or at least closer assault and harassment. Giving to fixed than it is”). evidence, going through an adversarial n An edited extract courtesy When one in five women over the court process, speaking about trauma Challenge Magazine

A failure to keep us safe health and wellbeing support. n Meena Singh, a Yorta Yorta and from page 30 Aboriginal people need our lives to be Indian woman, born and living on the valued, and our history and culture to land of the Kulin Nations, is the legal and legal infrastructure that doesn’t be known and accepted. This is the director of the Human Rights Law Centre. remove Aboriginal people from society, investment that lays the foundations for but supports us to engage and grow — generations to grow stronger. n An edited extract courtesy of education, family, housing, mental This is what keeps us safe. Indigenous X

innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 31 THE ALPHA CITY Modern, urban economies produce a distinctive kind of city life — one where wealth appears to be high in general. However, as Rowland Atkinson discusses, the reality is that many middle-income and poorer residents are negatively affected. I

ities are where our the idea that investment and the the rich have got richer, corporations economies, wealth presence of the wealthy are necessary and wealthy individuals have paid less and a range of for the city to benefit all citizens. But and less tax, public housing has been positive outcomes this argument is increasingly criticised. degraded and sold-off, welfare systems are forged. Yet in This is because it fails to recognise (and have been withdrawn or eroded, and Cmany cities around the world, a often conceals) how development and most forms of social investment have particular kind of economy finance does not benefit poorer and been popularly described as wasteful. exists — dominated by finance, middle-income citizens. While many All of this begs the question — who is international property discuss the way that the rewards of the city for? investment and growing work are unevenly distributed, in The alpha city is a term used to inequalities. Many people are reality, the biggest divide is between describe the kind of city that brings affected by the way property those who work for a living and those together many of the wealth elite (the and finance help those to make who own land and other assets. richest people), their often, wealthy more money, while the many Owning such wealth is a way of making enablers (those at the top of the who struggle are excluded much more money, while those who property, corporate and political from prosperity. Even worse — work have seen their lives become systems), unending rounds of in a city looking to attract increasingly difficult. development (in the land and housing further wealth and the wealthy Many who support free-market markets), and the prominent role of — we see decisions made that principles often push for pro- finance. The term is also a description worsen pressure in the areas of development planning legislation. In of how those with power tend to housing, education, health, many ways, ideas about how the city privilege property and wealth while and community life. economy should work become doing much less to intervene or to Meanwhile, many working in politics accepted as simply how things are so support those in more challenging can be seen to represent the interests that they are rarely challenged. These situations as well as the city’s middle of the wealthy and corporate groups — codes have underpinned a kind of classes. While being an alpha city may those in law, real estate, property capitalist revolution. This has been in sound like a winning formula, the development, think tanks and so on. place since the early 1980s and only reality is that these gains are almost Many working in these sectors promote accelerated over time. During this time, only to the wealthy.

32 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au BOOK EXTRACT Many of us, looking up from sales of public land and the absence of is hardwired to keep working the same positions of hardship and the struggle social housing in almost all new way as soon as possible. The interests of daily life, sense that something is housing. The alpha city creates a of those who have money or who wrong with how the city works. How hostile environment to those on no and invest it are immensely powerful and can we defend the endless production low incomes, but it is also a challenging altering this direction will be extremely of staggeringly expensive homes, the place for those on decent salaries. challenging. many empty homes alongside them These problems are not new, but One of the first things we need to and their position next to scenes of they have been worsened by the way face down is the argument that we homelessness and overcrowding? We the city acts as a kind of machine that somehow need the rich and property are often told that we need to pursue sifts out the poor from the wealthy. It is development in order for the city to be the rich, international investors and to essential that we understand how the the best of all possible places. We need promote a low-regulation environment wealthy and the poor and middle- to tackle this myth because it is clear because this will contribute to the rest incomes are ultimately all connected — that life is worsening for large numbers of the city and nation. Such arguments they share the same city, the same of its citizens. We are told that the rich also underpin changes brought to many government and society. This fact is too are essential, and to fear the exit of the communities through regeneration, often concealed by the overstated rich to places where tax is lower. It is estate “renewal”, and wholesale social and economic value of often said the rich benefit many demolition of thousands of homes. investment and finance. This often fails through investments or buying services, These areas of land and housing to connect that activity to the ultimate that the property taxes they pay become the raw material of the role of all business and commercial life support core social services and so on. property-finance machine, assisting — to provide opportunities, care, and Of course, there is a kernel of truth developers to create more, high-cost wellbeing for all members of the city. to all of these arguments. But these housing sold on what is essentially an This role is too often lost in calls to see arguments quickly fall apart when set international market to many cash-rich business as a means of private wealth against the self-evident inequalities of buyers. Those protesting the loss of creation. Worse, it seems that such the city and the sense of massive social, and remnants of affordable rewards are seen as something to be winners and crashing losers. This is a housing, essentially compete with the placed beyond the reach of those who game overseen by a political elite who forces of international investment. The contribute to its creation. This is not have helped to ensure wealth remains last financial crisis helped these sustainable, nor socially just. untaxed to any significant degree. arguments because it seemed that The poor and middle-income A much better set of outcomes can there was no money available for social households form the fuel of the alpha easily be imagined, but this requires a causes (though in reality there is great city machine. But they also become, as basic proposal — that the wealthy corporate and personal wealth). At the they work and try to survive, its waste should make a more significant start of a new financial crisis on the product — people who are stressed contribution. This should come through back of COVID-19, we again face and straining, working for corporations, taxes on property and wealth, and that important questions about where and borrowing more and more to buy — of developers and corporations. This how we get money to restore life in our which helps to fuel rises in house prices should be done because it is right and cities, communities, and economy. — paying more and more of their overdue. This would enable a fairer and In an alpha city, space is made for income to rent, trying to maintain a socially sustainable city to be created. capital, often more than it is for people. place in the city. Many of these people The preferable alternative for a future This involves building large numbers of are not catered for, included in, nor city is one that delivers for a much high-cost homes; demolishing public benefit from a property, finance, and greater number of its citizens and a housing estates to make way for open- wealth economy that more balanced economy, for market housing; and challenging any cities have become. social investment, greater request for social or affordable housing Right now, this social protections, a revised or social infrastructure such as schools. city machine seems urban equilibrium in which The city acts like a pincer squeezing broken or at best property prices deflate and the poor. Its heavy dependence on a idling. But its where affordable housing is finance economy and the attention of components are all guaranteed in all new the world’s rich delivers little for many. ready to start development. In fact, it brings increasing calls for the working again when removal of poorer and less wealthy the conditions are n The paperback version of households to make way for those with right. COVID-19 has Alpha City by Rowland Atkinson more in the form of estate demolition, mothballed it, but it is available from Verso Books

innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 33 COMMUNITY VOICES

‘I did not wake up one day and decide to become a carer. It just happened — I was suddenly a carer.’ One-in-eight Australians and experiencing things that not all can sometimes be overwhelming — I provide unpaid care and young people go through has definitely quickly overcome my emotions and support to a family member or helped shape me and made me a kind- realise there are always others worse friend. But what is it really like hearted person. off than me. Especially when I look at to care? Patrick and see that big wide smile, his eyes shining with love and happiness. Anne

Nick I did not wake up one morning and Ever since I can remember, I have been decide to become a carer. It just Rachel helping out at home, caring for my happened — I was suddenly a carer. I My sudden role change into a carer mum who has depression and a heart was a mother with a beautiful, healthy occurred when a surgeon phoned from condition. I also help care for my older baby boy and all of a sudden he needed America asking for my consent to sister who has been diagnosed with constant care and support and, above perform decompression surgery on my ODD, autism, Asperger’s and epilepsy; all, lots and lots of love. And so began daughter, Emily. She had fractured a and my younger brother who has been my journey as a carer. I remember, at neck vertebra in a fall, resulting in a diagnosed with ODD, autism, ADHD 20 years old, receiving the terrifying spinal cord injury, which rendered her and Asperger’s. news that our baby may not make it quadriplegic. After three long weeks As a young carer I cook, clean, and past his third birthday. I remember the more than 16,000km from home, Emily mentally and physically support my pain and anguish of thinking my returned to Australia. While resident at mother and siblings. Until April last beautiful boy’s life may be limited. Royal Rehab in Ryde, Emily was busy year, I didn’t identify as a young carer. To make a very long story short, our with physio, occupational therapy, I’ve just grown up with my siblings, boy Patrick surprised everyone. Not only psychology sessions and vocational helping them out and being there for did he survive past his third birthday; training. them — I didn’t realise that what I was he also learned to walk and ride a push From the outset I collaborated with doing was caring. bike and joined the local athletics club. Emily as her most ardent motivator as I now know that there is support Patrick is now 41 and still needs many she worked hard to regain available to me and other young carers. hours of support each day — as a carer independence: applying to return to Meeting other young carers has also you really are on duty 24/7. university, negotiating public transport made me realise that I’m not so My life has been greatly influenced and domestic and international travel; different to other people my age and by my son Patrick: he has taught me and embarking on new sports and that there are lots of people who have humility, compassion, and patience. relationships. Over time, my role as grown up caring for their family and Through the need to gain better facilitator dwindled and I’m delighted friends — sometimes without even services and recognition for people that my involvement has subsided — knowing it. with a disability, I also learned to be my primary aim was always to initiate Like life itself, there are challenges assertive and confident to lobby at all independence and self-belief in Emily. that come with caring: these can be levels of government for better Four years have passed since emotional, physical, and mental outcomes for those that need help. Emily’s accident. I have learnt we can’t challenges — sometimes there are Being a carer is often not a choice, fix all that confronts us in life but social challenges or challenges at life circumstances put you there. What through sharing, and with support, we school too. I think being a young carer keeps you going is knowing the care can retain perspective and manage our has made me more mature and tolerant you give your loved one is making a big everyday demands with resilience. — and I’ve definitely learnt good difference to their wellbeing. I do my leadership skills. Caring for my family very best every day and — although it n Source: Carers NSW Australia

34 | Inner Sydney Voice | Winter 2021 | innersydneyvoice.org.au

Urban photographer, Tim Ritchie, takes to his bicycle every morning scouting out Sydney’s hidden delights @timritchie city glimpses

Connecting Trafalgar and Bedford Streets and Enmore and Stanmore, this tunnel passes under the rail lines and has been augmented by locals painting the lights for a cheery effect.

FROM THE VAULT AUTUMN 2004 Ahead of the upcoming City of Sydney election, Charlie Richardson assessed the likely outcome. Ms Moore is a hard-working, highly experienced and tenacious politician. She is seen — even by Labor branch members — as a true independent, uninfluenced by developers. Ms Moore has rapidly assembled a team of six candidates to run for council and declared she might run for mayor. This must be a nightmare scenario for Labor. Many see Ms Moore as the favourite to win. There are ten positions to be filled on the new council, including the mayor’s. It is unlikely that Ms Moore’s team would all be elected. However, there are other independents running, as well as the Greens. There is every possibility that an alliance of Clover Moore’s team of independents, other independents and the Greens could form a majority on council. It seems unlikely that Labor will control the mayor’s position and have a majority of councillors. It may be that Clover Moore wins the mayoralty but also without the majority of councillors. Whichever way, a grouping of Greens, independents, lefty-Labor, and the odd Civic Reform councillors will have voting patterns that would be difficult to predict, and there would be many interesting debates. We can be sure that the goings on at Town Hall will have us all agog.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Charlie’s 2004 election assessment proved pretty much correct. Clover Moore was elected mayor. And City councillors comprised of a mix of four independents, three Labor, one Green and a Liberal.

innersydneyvoice.org.au | Winter 2021 | Inner Sydney Voice | 35 INNER SYDNEYVOICE WANT TO HAVE YOUR SUBCRIBE TO THE SPONSOR THE VOICE HEARD? MAGAZINE MAGAZINE We’re always looking for new voices — Subscribe to keep informed about social If you’re a business and would like to opinion pieces, investigative articles, issues impacting the inner Sydney sponsor Inner Sydney Voice magazine profiles of community organisations, region and to receive four issues of ISV the rates are: interviews and more. If you have a every year. feature idea, please contact the editor HALF PAGE $250 on 02 9698 7690 by email at ORGANISATIONS $60 FULL PAGE $500 [email protected] WAGED INDIVIDUALS $40 DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD $1,000 UNWAGED INDIVIDUALS $10

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Working in an office directly next door for a number of years, I considered the Hollywood to be something of a second home. Many an evening I’d be supping schooners and sharing yarns with half-cut colleagues. More often than not, you’d find a kaftan-clad Doris propped up on her stool at the bar, a customary red wine in hand. When it was time for Doris (then in her late 70s) to retire for the evening, we’d shout out a cheery goodnight. Doris would respond with a smile and a regal wave before tottering upstairs. 23 Christopher Kelly