BILL'S STORY
Dignity is a human right
If this apathy can happen to an elderly disabled pensioner in Cleveland - what about you?
In November 2024, 62 year old Bill Bailey lost his rental to a renovation and has since been priced out of the rental market.
For medical reasons - Bill slept upright on a comfortable Cleveland Library park bench, until it was suddenly removed without warning. Why or how much it cost to remove - is unknown.
Today, now 63, Bill sleeps in the same spot - minus the library park bench - this time on an undignified upended shopping trolley, directly across the street from the Redland City Council and some 200m from the offices of both State and Federal MPs:
Note. Both MP's know the concept of Human Rights and legal obligations. Alas here is Bill without housing - click here to understand why we should all be worried.
Bill has been hospitalised four times in the last 16 months and is deteriorating quickly.
Bill has no vices - no drugs, no gambling, no alcohol.
Bill needs public housing immediately.
Homeless since he was 62 - disabled pensioner - what if it were you?
Watch Bill's reality in 59 secs
See how Bill sleeps on a shopping trolley
Bill explains his terror on the street
Open Letters to Bill's local State MP - Hon Amanda Stoker
From the beginning we and others have assisted with Bill's survival.
2024-11-01
Bill's first terrifying night on the street.
After losing his rental - disabled Bill slept in terror on the bench at Cleveland Art Centre. The security guard said he can't stop you from being on a bench.
2024-11-03
Bill moves to sleep on a Cleveland Library park bench
For medical reasons Bill moved to the safety of night lights at the Cleveland library - and sleeps on the library park bench across the street from the Redland City Council.
2025-05-15
Bill's safe Cleveland Library park bench suddenly removed
Without warning the Redland City Council removes Bills comfortable public park bench - which kept Bill upright while he sleeps for medical reasons. Bill asked City Council "why - the community needs its benches. Where do we sit when it rains?"
2026-09-07
Bill's bed the shopping trolley is continually moved away
Bill believes someone from City Council starts to move his trolley away some 100m. Bill's medical condition makes it painful to walk. This added stress beat down on Bill's dignity and strength during his terrifying nightly sleeps.
2026-01-01
Bill's Bed - the Shopping Trolley stops being moved
Bill recalls being grateful his shopping trolley he needs to sleep upright on - suddenly stops being moved.
2026-01-11
Hospitalisation #4: Golden Staph and Cellulitis
2026-03-12
Bill personally gives correspondence to the office of Hon Amanda Stoker.
Ms Stoker's office made a cup of tea for Bill as he handed over agency documents that have long proven his disability and need for housing. Why the 16 month wait?
2026-03-16
Bill is interviewed on Ch 10 News.
After the TV interview we receive a call from the Housing Dept. of Housing & Public Works - who confirmed Bill has been on the list since Nov. 2024. The call was just a reconfirmation of details. Bill was heartbroken.
2026-03-16
Today - the QLD Human Rights Act is a joke!
Bill is still unhoused and just one of 100,000's who didn't realise their MP's are just mail services and are clearly too busy to solve this national embarrassment on Parliamentary record for immediate change.
Despite terror and painful hardship - watch Bill's gratitude - incredible
God is looking out for me
Bill thinks kids have more compassion than politicians
Bill says thank you
Engaging provisions of the QLD Human Rights Act 2019
| s. 16 | Right to life | Sleeping rough and exposed with a disability. The government has a duty to take reasonable steps to protect life from known and immediate risks. |
| s. 17 | Protection from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment | 16 months without effective intervention. |
| s. 19 | Freedom of movement | Constituent Mr Bailey has the right to choose where he lives. He should not be forced out of his community to access emergency housing. |
| s. 25 | Privacy and reputation | A man sleeping on a shopping trolley in a public space has been stripped of all privacy and dignity. |
| s. 29 | Right to liberty and security of person | Not receiving necessary support / no housing. QLD ought to take reasonable steps to ensure the physical safety of people in known danger of harm. |
| s. 58 | Conduct of public entities | Public entities must act compatibly with human rights and give proper consideration to human rights when making decisions. Ms Stoker's electorate office is a public entity - see above Sections.. |
Why all should be worried. Do you believe MP's know this?
Below is from HumanRights.gov.au
"What does homelessness have to do with Human Rights?
People experiencing homelessness face violations of a wide range of human rights. Access to safe and secure housing is one of the most basic human rights. However, homelessness is not just about housing.
A person who is homeless may be facing violations of the right to an adequate standard of living, the right to education, the right to liberty and security of the person, the right to privacy, the right to social security, the right to freedom from discrimination, the right to vote and many more.
These human rights are protected by a number of international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
For more information see the Commission's discussion paper, Homelessness is a Human Rights Issue .
Is there a right to housing?
Every person has the right to an adequate standard of living, which includes the right to adequate housing (ICESCR, article 11).
The right to housing is more than simply a right to shelter. It is a right to have somewhere to live that is adequate. Whether housing is adequate depends on a range of factors including:
- legal security of tenure
- availability of services, materials, facilities and infrastructure
- affordability
- accessibility
- habitability
- location
- cultural adequacy."