Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
The Greens’ move to protect tenants from unreasonable rent increases was voted down by Labor, the Liberals and Madeleine Ogilvie in Parliament today.
It is gut wrenching to us that Liberals and Labor MPs teamed up to defeat the Greens’ Residential Tenancy (Rent Control) Amendment Bill 2021. The model reflects, almost exactly, the framework in place in the Australian Capital Territory.
Instead of providing basic, compassionate support to Tasmanian tenants – proper protection from massive, exploitative rent hikes – the Labor and Liberals parties, and Ms Ogilvie, voted against relief for tenants.
The stories of hardship pouring out of the community, along with the data that confirms Tasmania as the least affordable place in the nation for renters, made no difference. Nor did the impending end of the federal government’s coronavirus assistance payments, or the concerns of social welfare organisations about the deepening housing crisis.
This was to be expected from the Liberals – a party with a long track record of prioritising profits for the propertied class over rights for those who are not. We were, however, shocked that Labor lined up alongside them.
Voting against this Bill is an endorsement of every massive rent hike tenants have felt this year - and each one yet to come as the housing crisis deepens.
Labor, the Liberals and Ms Ogilvie are now answerable to the tenants they could have protected.
While they have failed Tasmanian renters today, the Greens will keep doing everything we can to stand up for them and deliver relief.