AUWU Melbourne opposes police action at North Melbourne and Flemington
Daniel Andrews: withdraw police and treat public housing tenants equally
The Melbourne Branch of the Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union, supported by the AUWU national organisation, stand in solidarity with, and endorse the demands of the residents affected by Premier Daniel Andrews’ forced detention. We demand that the Premier stop criminalising poverty and end this blatant discrimination against impoverished workers, migrants and refugees.
On the orders of Premier Daniel Andrews this past Saturday, Victorian Police – with later assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services – targeted nine public housing towers around North Melbourne and Flemington. The Police detained approximately 3000 residents inside their homes, with a constant presence of police stationed on every floor of every tower. Without notice or consultation, residents found themselves locked inside their homes against their will.
Police have threatened residents with large fines and violent, punitive action. This is a direct attack on impoverished workers, migrants and refugees. Actions such as this perpetuate the punishment and criminalisation of those living in poverty.
We acknowledge that the state of Victoria has been hit with a second wave of COVID-19 and that our community should receive appropriate support. However, the government response to viral outbreaks should be led by healthcare workers and not the Victorian Police. These attacks on the nine public housing towers have crossed the line into discrimination and state-sanctioned terrorism.
We call upon the premier to agree to the demands of the public housing residents:
All public housing estates to be placed under Stage 3 COVID-19 restrictions like our neighbours so we can still leave our homes for work or education, exercise, medical care or care giving, or shopping for supplies.
The Victorian Government must withdraw all 500 Police and Authorised Officers from the inside of all public housing estates.
The Victorian Government must implement infection prevention measures such as regular disinfection and cleaning of communal spaces, and distribution of masks.
The Victorian Government must set up testing sites in walking distance of the nine public housing estates instead of inside of the public housing estates in order to prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19.
The Victorian Government must coordinate services in support of current community led activities that are responding to resident’s food, medical, financial, mental health and social service needs.
Media contact: 0413 261 362 / media@auwu.org.au
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