NSW paid $1,797 to fly homeless man to New Zealand rather than house him

NSW housing agency Homes NSW booked Mark Hudson, 53, on Wagga Wagga-Sydney-Auckland flights costing $1,797 rather than offering temporary accommodation during a riverside encampment clearance. Hudson says he has Australian permanent residency. The international flight was cancelled. After Guardian Australia contacted the government, he was offered accommodation. Whether other cleared residents receive housing bears watching.