A homeless man in Queensland was Tasered by police after he attempted to take his own life during a forced removal operation at a tent city near Brisbane. The incident has sparked debate about the need for better mental health support during such enforcement actions, as the state grapples with a growing homelessness crisis. On 1 September, rangers from Moreton Bay city council gave six homeless residents 24 hours to leave Pelican Park, where the man, identified only as Martin*, had been living in a camper trailer. The park was to be cleared to make way for a kite festival. Martin said he could not comply with the order because he had lost his driver’s licence due to a past drink-driving conviction and feared losing his few possessions. In response, he stabbed himself in the neck with a knife. Shortly after, he was shot with a Taser by police, who claimed they had tried to de-escalate the situation and disarm him without success. Police said they applied first aid to the man, who had sustained serious self-inflicted injuries, and emphasized their commitment to mental health training for officers. Local advocate Beau Haywood, founder of the charity Nourish Street, criticized the incident as a consequence of councils relying on enforcement tactics to address homelessness. He argued that Moreton Bay should pause such clearances until they can prove they are both safe and legal. Martin, a former security guard who lost his job during the pandemic, has been homeless for over three years and is on the social housing waiting list. He is part of a small tent city of about a dozen people in Clontarf. Moreton Bay has the longest social housing waiting list in the state, with over 5,146 people waiting for accommodation, and faces a significant rough sleeping problem. After the incident, Martin was taken to the hospital, where he received treatment for his self-inflicted injury. He asked to be discharged so he could return to his trailer to protect his belongings. A taxi was arranged for his return, but he has not received further medical care since being discharged. Moreton Bay was the first council in Australia to use enforcement as a solution to the homelessness crisis, drawing national attention when it bulldozed a tent city in Lawnton. This action was later ruled a violation of the state’s Human Rights Act by the Queensland Supreme Court. Although the council paused clearances during and after the court case, they have recently resumed them after announcing a designated park for the homeless. Haywood said that during such clearances, individuals like Martin often feel cornered, leading to mental health deterioration and, in some cases, tragic outcomes. He emphasized that if authorities were aware of Martin’s mental and physical health, more precautions could have been taken, such as offering mental health treatment at the time. Martin, who enjoys old movies, motorcycles, and long conversations, has refused treatment for prostate cancer and expressed a desire to see friends in Townsville and South Australia before passing. He found joy in cooking for his homeless friends. Despite the incident, his situation has not improved—he has not been offered housing or an alternative place to stay. With over 44,000 people on Queensland’s social housing waiting list, the need for a more compassionate and effective approach to homelessness remains urgent. A local homeless service is planning to move Martin’s vehicle to a different park this week, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by those without stable housing.