Thursday 24 November 2022 02:11 AM Brisbane battler mum slams Anthony Albanese over GQ Man of the Year awards ... trends now
A single mum who became the face of Australia's rental crisis and spent six months sleeping in her car has blasted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for hitting the red carpet amid the country's housing and cost of living crises.
Danni Cox, 45, became homeless for the first time in her life earlier this year when she was evicted from her rental property in Beenleigh, south of Brisbane, after the landlord told her he was planning to renovate and sell up.
Ms Cox spent two months sleeping in her car with her two sons at parks, train stations and outside friends' places, eventually breaking down in a TV interview in a desperate plea for help from the government.
It took another four months and more than 400 rental applications before Ms Cox finally secured a roof over her head.
And Ms Cox was less than impressed when she learned Mr Albanese flew to Sydney - during a parliamentary sitting week - to attend the GQ Men of the Year Awards with his partner Jodie on Wednesday evening.
Danni Cox (pictured) called on the Prime Minister to do more about Australia's rental crisis
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sparked outrage after he suited up to attend the GQ Men of the Year Awards in Sydney with his partner Jodie Haydon on Wednesday night
'I have no time or respect for him,' Ms Cox told Daily Mail Australia. 'He should hold his head in shame'.
'This isn't the lucky country. I didn't think what happened to me would ever happen.
'He should be looking after the country and this is happening to real families right under his nose.
'The issue has been swept under the carpet for too long. I'm not proud to be an Australian right now.'
'This was supposed to be a lucky country. If it wasn't for my children I'd be still waiting homeless in Australia, where we have too much money for roads and not enough for our people.'
Mr Albanese - who himself grew up in public housing as the son of a single mother - attended the men's magazine's red carpet as to receive the Politician of the Year award, looking suave in a tuxedo.
He also gave a rousing speech about Indigenous welfare - calling for the nation to enact the Voice to Parliament, and hinted that a referendum could be held on the issue as early as 2023.
The red carpet appearance was just a week after he returned from the G20 Summit in Bali.
Ms Cox and her two sons spent six months living in her car after they were evicted
Danni Cox (pictured in her new home) is relieved to finally have a roof over her head again
Ms Cox fumed that attending the red carpet event was 'shameful behaviour considering his mother struggled as a single parent in need of government assistance which she received. Had she not he certainly wouldn't be on any red carpet smiling today!'
Ms Cox said Mr Albanese's government needed to address with the nation's housing crisis.
It announced housing schemes including the Help to Buy program and the Regional First Home Buyer support scheme ahead of the last election.
Social housing is generally a responsibility of state governments - although the federal government spends billions each year on homelessness and housing initiatives.
Ms Cox called for an overhaul to the public housing system, including more funding, and feels for the thousands of families who don't have a roof over their heads.
'Take what you can get now as no one is coming to help you,' she said.
'I was told there was a seven year waiting list for housing and that I would get no special treatment just because my story became public.'
Ms Cox applied hundreds of rental properties without any luck, despite her perfect rental history and references from previous landlords. She had this message for Mr Albanese. 'God help us all because you're not!'
Daily Mail Australia has sought comment from Mr Albanese's office.
Being homeless not only took a heavy toll on Danni but also her two sons. Pictured is her youngest son Jordan enjoying their new home
