Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader and Housing spokesperson
It has taken consistent advocacy on the part of the housing and social welfare sector, and the Greens, for strong rent relief and the Gutwein Government has today responded.
The announcement of a Rent Relief Fund for residential tenants and landlords is welcome. It will provide a measure of peace of mind to residential tenants hit hard by the pandemic shut down.
Today’s announcement goes some way towards addressing the government’s different approaches to commercial and residential tenants during the pandemic response.
From the earliest days of the emergency, along with the community sector, the Greens have pushed hard for a freeze on evictions and rent increases, more resourcing into homelessness and financial relief for tenants to ensure nobody is left behind.
To his enduring credit, the Premier has delivered each time a gap in the response has been identified. On providing decent support for visa holders, Mr Gutwein led the nation.
Let’s hope this philosophy of leaving no one behind during a pandemic sticks with government in to the future.
Out of crisis comes opportunity. We can create a better, fairer Tasmania.