Kelsi’s Blog

An ABS report released late 2008 found that more Australian families are being forced to live on the street, raising question as to today’s cause of homelessness.

The report found that there are approximately 100,000 people homeless in Australia, with 26 percent being families with children.

With people losing jobs and being unable to keep up with financial commitments, many are looking to the economic crisis as the cause.

The Homeless Persons Information Centre in Sydney are receiving more calls from people facing homelessness due to not being able to pay rent and mortgages than substance abuse or family breakdown.

The economic crisis that first hit the United States has now become blatant in Australia and families are feeling urged to seek help.

Reporter Angela Saurine from The Daily Telegraph found that those at risk of homelessness are turning to “financial counselling and brokerage services” to avoid ending up on the street.

The ABS report also found that on census night 84 percent of homeless actually had temporary accommodation either with friends or relatives, in boarding houses or hostels.

Many argue that more affordable housing will minimise the number of homeless.

Simon Smith, Executive Officer of Homelessness Australia states that “because we are moving into a deteriorating economic environment… an increase in public and community housing will be very important to help us to address the social effects that will come from that”.

The Government has committed to building 50,000 affordable rental homes for low and moderate income earners and around 3,000 homes for people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, according to an ABC reporter.

PM, Kevin Rudd says that the target is to halve the number of homeless by 2020.

In addition, tax payers will be awarded stimulus packages within the next few weeks in an attempt to rejuvenate the economic climate and ultimately reduce the number at risk of becoming homeless.

As the National History Curriculum undergoes changes, differing opinions debate whether enough Aboriginal history is taught in schools.

Historian Henry Reynolds says that while Aboriginal history is in the current curriculum, he is not defending it being used to its full extent.

He says: “There is now good curriculum material available but I am by no means sure if it is being well used.”

Avalon Kiely, teacher at Mullumbimby High School, says enough Aboriginal history is taught.

She says the history is important but “we need to move on and make the most of what we’ve got now”.

Although history is taught in part, Aboriginal culture is another issue, according to Tweed Heads Public School teacher, Paula French.

Mrs French says: “In the schools that I’ve worked in there’s not a lot of indigenous culture taught and in some schools it’s because there’s only a small percentage of Aboriginal children.”

She says that the system is flawed when culture is only taught to Indigenous children.

“It’s very important that both sides learn the culture and history as well as staff… They’re teaching Aboriginal kids but they don’t know anything about their culture.”

Mrs French says teaching should also be done outside the classroom.

“It should be taught by an Aboriginal person and they should be taken out of the classroom setting because you learn more… experiencing Aboriginal communities and sites.”

Avalon Kiely says: “We have an Aboriginal group on campus… who go to surfing competitions and participate in Aboriginal dancing. They’re involved in a lot of cultural stuff.”

Past student, Kim Felton, says at Tweed River High School, there is segregation between white groups and Aboriginal groups.

“There are groups who get along well with white people but it’s not common. They usually group to themselves”

Paula French suggests that segregation is often caused by a lack of understanding. She says: “If you get to know someone’s culture you become aware of the differences and you’re more comfortable with it.”

Treasurer Wayne Swan has urged the government to monitor hefty payouts given to employers and introduce rules requiring permission from shareholders.

www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25204953-2,00.html