Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
The Tasmanian Planning Commission's ruling on Hobart City Council's bid to curb short stay accommodation confirms it's the Liberal Government's responsibility to rein in short stay and curb the rental crisis.
Short stay rentals are locking out many hundreds of Tasmanians from the rental market, and driving up rents for those lucky enough to find a home. The flow on effects to local economies are huge, with many regional towns suffering accomodation and workforce shortages..
For the past few years, the Liberals have repeatedly told Tasmanians that it's up to local councils to set their own rules for short stay rentals.
Well, Hobart City Council have tried. HCC followed Planning Minister Michael Ferguson's advice, but the Minister's advice was wrong.
Perhaps Michael Ferguson should spend less time worrying about the profits he is making from his own short stay rental, and more time worrying about tackling the damaging spread of short stay around the state.
Housing experts, community service organisations, and thousands of everyday Tasmanians are demanding limits on short stay rentals.
Any decent government would be listening to these calls, but the Liberals stubbornly refuse.
They’re more concerned with jamming an unwanted stadium down our throats than they are making sure Tasmanians aren’t priced out of their own paradise through unaffordable rents and a critical housing shortage.