When Elia Norman’s second floor Sydney unit caught fire after spreading from a neighbouring flat, he quickly grabbed his asthmatic son and his car keys and rushed down the stairs to safety. The former information systems professional watched on as the flames charred his family’s precious belongings.
Norman worked as a cleaner at fast food giant McDonald’s sustaining major injuries to his leg and has had operations, but he remains disabled, walking with a crutch. Worker’s compensation has been a long, drawn-out process as he tries to make ends meet with a meagre income from social welfare payments. The Norman family has been staying in temporary accommodation in a motel, provided by Housing NSW, for a few weeks.