Criminalising begging through fines and charges is not an effective solution to the vexed issue of homelessness, according to prominent Victorian homeless law service.
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“People have to beg because their home is on the street and because there's no other choice - to criminalise that is not reasonable,” said Cameron Lavery, senior lawyer in Homeless Law at Justice Connect, a non-for-profit legal service.
“There are alternatives, fining and criminalising homeless people for begging is not the answer.”
Justice Connect, which provides weekly legal clinics for the homeless in Melbourne and Geelong, works on a pro bono model and partners with law firms and community agencies to provide an outreach service.
Mr Lavery, who said over the past five years 800 charges have been laid against people for begging in Victoria, suggested there may be a need for this service in Bendigo.
His comments follow the conviction of Bendigo man Ashley Monti for a begging alms charge this week in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court.
Monti, who the court heard was spotted with a “hat between his legs” at 2.30pm on March 2 – telling police he was trying to get money for the bus, was given a six-month good behaviour bond.
Victoria police figures supplied to the Bendigo Advertiser show 11 people were questioned for begging alms within the CBD since May 1, 2016, and nine of those have been charged while the other two decisions are pending.
Greater Bendigo police Inspector Shane Brundell said police were under no direction to crack down on begging, despite mayor Margaret O’Rourke urging the public to ring police if they saw it occur.
In responding to a question from the public gallery at the April 19 council meeting, Cr O’Rourke said: “You are absolutely right, it (begging) is a summary offence.”
“Victoria Police superintendent (Darren Franks) said they would move people along and they will shortly issue a summons and start to do that more.”
Inspector Brundell said police responded to complaints and assessed evidence equally.
Victoria Legal Aid confirmed it provides assistance to homeless locals.
ARC Justice executive officer Hayley Mansfield said her organisation had not represent homeless people in relation to fines or charges for begging, but stated it would consider the idea if it emerged as a public interest issue.
