The City of Port Phillip is currently consulting on proposed local law changes that would give the Council CEO extraordinary powers to designate “no camping zones”—a move that will effectively criminalise homelessness and strip some of our most vulnerable community members of what little they have left.
Under these proposed changes, people experiencing homelessness could have their tents, sleeping bags and belongings confiscated if they are unable or unwilling to comply with move-on orders, even after being referred to overstretched and underfunded support services. ‘The proposal comes despite no investment in public housing, no expansion of crisis accommodation, and no commitment to fund real solutions,’ said Tabitha Lean.
‘We are in a moment where care and compassion must guide our response to poverty and homelessness—not punishment and exile. Not confiscation. Not cruelty wrapped in bureaucracy. The question that remains unanswered by Port Phillip Council is simple: where are people supposed to go?’ said Tabitha Lean.
‘This is exactly how people end up being criminalised. We criminalise houselessness, poverty, and survival—and then act surprised when people are pulled deeper into the system. These laws don’t solve homelessness; they manufacture more harm,’ said Tabitha Lean.
The Community Safety Update from Council (16 May 2025) states: “Our Officers are strongly supportive of the neighbourhood policing model and support improved resourcing for police to enable more joint patrols with Local Laws officers.”
‘Of course, the police want more resources — but throwing more funding at policing while people sleep in parks is not a solution, it’s a failure of priorities. We don’t need more joint patrols criminalising poverty. We need properly resourced housing, health care, and community-led support — not more boots on the ground pushing people out of public spaces,’ said Tabitha Lean.
‘Instead of welcoming people in, these laws push them further out,’ said Debbie Kilroy. ‘Council has already spent $30,000 getting to this point. That money could have been directed towards support services or safe community spaces. But instead, it’s being spent on policy changes that punish people for surviving,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘This proposal does not address the crisis—it deepens it. Every local support service is already operating at capacity, without enough beds, staff, or resources to meet the need. Council’s answer is to push people out of sight rather than support them into safety,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘We know that women and children escaping domestic and family violence are often forced to choose between the streets or returning to danger. If there’s no safe place to go, they’re pushed back into violent homes. These laws don’t protect them — they punish them for fleeing. What we need is housing, not harassment,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘We need more gathering spaces for rough sleepers, not laws that banish them. We need investment in public housing, support services, and community-led responses. We need compassion—not another law that makes poverty a punishable offence,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
The National Network urge all residents of Port Phillip and across Victoria to reject these inhumane proposals and demand that our councils invest in real solutions—not criminalisation.
For further comment, please contact Debbie Kilroy on 0419 762 474 or Tabitha Lean on 0499 780 226.
