You don't expect Australian charities to be winning international design awards. Then again, you mightn't expect the world epicentre of supersize houses to tolerate homelessness for one in 200 of its citizens, either. The obvious design solution to an affordability crisis in one of the world's richest cities is to make houses smaller. Much smaller, in this case, but perfectly formed.

Pitted against 4432 designs from 60 countries, Melbourne businessman Tony Clark's emergency Backpack Bed has won ''best of the best'' in the German-based Red Dot product-design awards. He doesn't call it a swag. (Clark says he's amazed how many people, including Australians, don't know the word.) And it may not have four ensuites and a seven-car garage, but it does have the blinding simplicity of a really good idea.

Designed to be a handout to the 80 per cent of families and 60 per cent of individuals who are turned away from NSW shelters each night, it offers protection, territory and a degree of dignity. Waterproof, windproof, bug-proof and light, the Backpack Bed is fully ventilated, mildew-resistant, PVC-free and fire-retardant (homeless people use cigarette lighters to see by). It also has an insulated mattress, built-in zip-pocket (with padlock), ropes to guy yourself to tree or handrail and a size 13 shoe-pocket to keep your runners safe at night. It's tough, but rolls neatly into a 2.4-kilogram backpack that can hold up to 20 kilograms of personal stuff.

White papers come and go. The federal Homelessness Minister, Mark Arbib, was due to launch yet another paper on homelessness prevention last night. But can he find, from his $1.2 billion, a measly $2.1 million for 20,000-odd swags? Uh, no. Homelessness, he tells Clark, is a state problem.

At state level it's much the same. Kristina Keneally bangs on about kindness and compassion but wastes $350 million on the cancelled metro (not counting compensation claims) and $188 million on overblown, often unnecessary ''Building the Education Revolution'' projects. But swags for the homeless? What, do they vote? How can we know if they're marginal? Are they even in an electorate?

Red Dot Product Design Awards Won By Australian