The problem with the Liberals' plan to intervene to clean up the yards of hoarders is that people who collect on such a scale often suffer from a recognised mental condition, and getting rid of their things isn't going to solve the issue in the long term.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There has to be a balance between accommodating these people in society, and placating the people who live near them. But the Liberals' plan only goes one way.
Opposition Leader Alistair Coe introduced new laws into the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday which sought to strengthen the government's power to force squalid properties to be cleaned up.
The plan was to subject the owners of such properties to frequent inspections, and increase penalties for those who didn't obey.
But the Liberals have jumped into an issue that is more than just what it seems on the surface, and they should be feeling the heat.
As community groups and experts have told The Canberra Times, much more could be done if the focus was on funding for these people to access support, rather than punitive measures that will lead to distress.
On Friday, Mr Coe defended his plan, saying it was an issue of public safety.
He said there were a handful of blocks in the ACT that would be targeted by the proposed legislation, which did not create any new offences and did not target the inside of houses.
There has to be a balance between accommodating these people in society, and placating the people who live near them.
But sadly, the real issue here is the treatment of people with mental health problems in our society.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, known as DSM-5 and published by the American Psychiatric Association, classifies hoarding as a disorder characterised by difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of their actual value, and the persistent acquisition of objects.
Taking away a hoarder's possessions is only going to distress them - not help them - and they will continue to collect to the same extent again. One of Australia's leading experts on the disorder said that funding for extreme cases is unacceptably low. This is what the focus of this debate should be on.
There is no good that can come from rushing in to tighten the legislation around hoarding cases. There has to balance, for those with the disorder, and those around them.
Thankfully, there is hope for everyone in these situations. The outcome of a Woden Community Service trial to assist in these types of cases is imminent. The trial used a case-management process to connect people with other relevant support services, including cleaners and gardeners. It is currently being evaluated.
Let's treat these people with compassion, not criminalise them.
