Thursday, 16 September 2021
Adjournment
COVID-19
Adjournment
Following matters incorporated in accordance with resolution of house of 14 September:
COVID-19
On behalf of real estate businesses in my community, and many prospective renters, buyers and sellers, the matter I raise is for the Premier. The action I seek is for the further easing of restrictions for real estate businesses to safely operate, including service providers such as photographers, and for the release of all health advice in relation to the much harsher restrictions that have been imposed on this industry during lockdown 6 as compared to previous lockdowns.
Indeed, only last week the Real Estate Institute of Victoria had publicly advertised, pleading for private inspections to be permitted to occur, with the ad stating, ‘Locked down and locked out, Mr Premier, please give our keys back’. And I note today your government has backflipped, finally allowing private inspections, which, of course, can be conducted safely and indeed were conducted safely in prior lockdowns.
It made no sense that the Andrews Labor government was denying Victorians the basic right to rent, buy and sell a home.
On the main street of Lilydale in my electorate, for example, there are seven real estate businesses, and they are a major employer for our local economy. Real estate businesses that service the Yarra Valley region still cannot effectively run their business, even for online sales and rental, because photographers are not allowed, and photos are essential to getting properties onto advertising platforms.
Premier, you said lockdown 6 would be short, sharp and just seven days, and you denied financial support to real estate agents despite the significant financial hit your harsher restrictions have caused. Given it is now six weeks since we entered lockdown 6, your announcement today was inadequate and only partially addressed the problems real estate businesses are facing. Your announcement to allow private inspections was silent on key activities in the supply chain that assist renters, buyers and sellers, such as the use of photographers and other service providers.
I seek your urgent action to release all health advice which you relied on to determine this industry required vastly harsher restrictions than previous lockdowns and your urgent action to provide a road map to further ease restrictions for the real estate industry including allowing essential service providers such as photographers.