Poverty is no disgrace, but it's a great inconvenience its a crime.

You'd better read the article yourself. Here's an excerpt from the Queensland law books:

A Vagrant includes any person who:

• has insufficient or no visible lawful means of support (s 4(1)(a));


• is a habitual drunkard who behaves in a disorderly or riotous manner in a public place (s 4(1)(c)), (the Liquor Act 1992 (Qld) also prohibits consuming liquor in a public place); or


• loiters or places himself/herself in a public place to beg or gather alms (s 4(1)(k)).

The penalty for being a Vagrant is a fine of $100 or 6 months imprisonment.