The New South Wales government arranged and paid for a homeless man in Wagga Wagga to be sent back to New Zealand, rather than providing him with temporary accommodation. This action was part of an effort to clear an encampment by a river.
Mark Hudson, 53, who has permanent residency in Australia and has lived there for 18 years, was repeatedly offered a flight to New Zealand by Homes NSW. The flight, costing taxpayers $1,797, was booked for Sydney and then Auckland. However, the international leg was cancelled by the airline on Thursday.
Hudson, who has a girlfriend and is about to take custody of his granddaughter in Wagga, did not want to leave. Following contact from Guardian Australia on Friday, Hudson was offered accommodation in Wagga, which he is expected to move into next week.
Homes NSW stated it has been working with people facing housing insecurity since April and confirmed that travel costs are one of the support options available. A spokesperson said Homes NSW may assist with requests to return to a home country if a person is not eligible for social housing or other support services in New South Wales.