Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens Leader and Housing spokesperson
Tasmanians living in rental homes will warmly welcome today’s announcement of extended residential rental protections and the Rent Relief Fund.
Many Tasmanian renters have already been confronted with threats of eviction and rent increases from landlords in recent weeks. This is why the Greens and social welfare organisations have been urging the government to make this decision.
Protections and support for tenants will become even more crucial as the Morrison Government slashes the income of tens of thousands of Tasmanians on September 30.
Greens’ amendments to the government’s COVID-19 emergency laws allowed tenants to be protected from eviction and rent increases through the pandemic period.
The Gutwein Government also committed to establishing the Rent Relief Fund under questioning and pressure from the Tenants Union, and the Greens in Parliament. These measures have given crucial peace of mind to those pushed to the financial brink by COVID-19.
We also recognise this has been a hard time for landlords, few of whom have huge financial resources. We trust the legislative package also announced today will also ensure landlords aren’t left behind.
Given the difficult experiences of Tasmanian tenants and flow on impacts to landlords before today’s announcement, and the prospect of more federal income support cuts at the end of December, we encourage government to decide on a further extension much earlier next time if it’s needed.