First World Problems -in Australia

23/09/2025

📣 Queensland — We Cannot Lose CheQpoint! Help Save Drug Checking!

The Queensland Government is about to legislate to ban drug checking — and they’re doing it with no consultation, no transparency, and no chance for the community’s voice to be heard. This isn’t just about one service; it’s about evidence, safety, and people’s lives. 

CheQpoint, Queensland’s only fixed-site pill testing service, has proven its worth from day one. But after the previous contract was not renewed, it was shut down. And even when private funding was secured to reopen, the Government has blocked its return. 

If you believe in safer communities, in harm reduction, in saving lives — we need you to act NOW:

✅ Go to Save Drug Checking QLD: savedrugcheckingqld.nationbuilder.com
✅ Email your local MP. Ask them to keep CheQpoint open and let people access drug checking services safely. 

Because when governments pass laws in the dark, we all lose. And people die when we ignore evidence. Let’s raise our voices before it’s too late. 💪

Queensland is on the brink of a dangerous precedent.This week, the state government will legislate to ban drug checking, with no consultation, no transparency, and no community voice.

12/09/2025

📉 The cost of living crisis isn’t just hitting people’s wallets — it’s creating a domino effect that’s pushing everyday Australians into desperate situations.

In Victoria, the second most common crime in the past financial year was theft from stores — not luxury items, but food and other essentials. Even more concerning, 50% of these cases were first-time offenders.

These aren’t career criminals. They’re people who’ve never broken the law, now forced into stealing to survive. And the ripple effects are huge:

⚠️ A criminal record can mean losing your job or never finding one again.
⚠️ Without work, rent goes unpaid, homelessness follows.
⚠️ Once trapped in the system, many feel they have no choice but to keep committing crimes just to get by.

This isn’t just about rising crime rates — it’s about how poverty and inequality are driving everyday people into the justice system.

That’s what I’ll be unpacking more deeply on my upcoming podcast Hard Times 🎙️ — where I’ll be talking about the struggles people face in Australia and the bigger picture behind them.

👉 Follow along if you want real conversations about what’s happening in our communities and why.

09/09/2025

💜 Holden Street Neighbourhood House – Here for the Community 💜

Looking for a little extra support? Holden Street Neighbourhood House has free services available each week:

🍳 Free Breakfast – Monday to Friday, 8–9am
📍 128 Holden St, Fitzroy North

🛒 Food Relief / Food Parcels – Wednesdays, 10am

💻 Tech Help – Tuesdays, 10am–12pm (need a hand with your phone, computer, or online forms? We’ve got you covered!)

No judgment, no cost – just community helping community. Everyone is welcome. 💜



https://www.holdenstreet.org.au/our-services

16/02/2025

Welcome to first world problems in Australia! Marianna Jans is creating a vodcast 'First world problems in australia' , like this page to keep in the loop with my production process and when and where you can access the vodcast