Dr WOODRUFF - Minister, how many short-stay properties in each region have permits, and how many do not? How many are exempt from the permit system, and for what reasons?
Mr JAENSCH - As part of my response to this, I am really happy to table the latest CBOS Report on Data Collection Quarter 1 2021 on short-stay accommodation. This is the quarterly reporting mechanism we've established, which is nation-leading, according to the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) and others.
CHAIR - Do you have more than one copy with you, minister?
Mr JAENSCH - It is on the electric interweb, Chair, but I am happy to table that so it can be considered.
The numbers that you are referring to are all there for everyone to see. As to your question about properties being exempt from the permit system, I don't think it quite works that way. They are not exempt, but they are registered in that system as not requiring a permit, if you know what I mean, so they are still counted, which is important.
Dr WOODRUFF - Where owners of short-stay properties claim that no permit is required, which is what you have just said - not exempt, but not required - how many of those were checked in the last financial year, and what is the oversight process to confirm that no permit required status for short stay properties?
Mr JAENSCH - I will ask Mr Risby to speak to that.
Mr RISBY - The data collected by the CBOS is distributed in detail to each of the councils. They have a very specific list of the property address and the claim as to whether a permit is or is not required for each of those listings. It is the councils' obligations under the planning system to enforce whether a permit is or is not required under the planning process. This system enables them to have the exact information that the platforms are getting from those listings, to then check whether they indeed comply with what they have said.
Dr WOODRUFF - Is the CBOS checking that the checking is done?
Mr RISBY - The obligation is with the local government, the council, as the planning authority, to ensure its permit system is working properly.
Dr WOODRUFF - So, there's not checking of that by the CBOS to ensure they are fulfilling their legal requirement?
Mr RISBY - As there is for no other planning process.