Wednesday, 29 November 2023

Ministers statements: rental support

Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Government Services, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Public and Active Transport) (14:13): I rise to update the house on the work the Allan Labor government is doing to support Victorian renters. We know many renters are doing it tough right now, and that is why we are backing the community organisations that support them. Our $2 million rental stress support package will mean legal assistance, financial information and advocacy services are available for those Victorians in need. It will mean more renters will be supported to stay in their homes while we boost social and affordable housing right across our state. This investment also builds on our $25 million private rental assistance program, helping community agencies deliver this important work.

Victorian renters know that they cannot rely on those opposite to keep them in their homes. When we introduced the Residential Tenancies Amendments Act 2018, with over 130 reforms to make renting fairer for Victorians, the opposition voted against it. They voted against a ban on rental bidding. They voted against a ban on evicting renters without reason. They voted against pets in rental properties. They also voted against minimum rental standards. It is absurd.

On this side of the house we unashamedly support renters, and we are proud of that fact. Only the Allan Labor government will build more social and affordable housing and only Labor will deliver more reforms to give renters greater control of their leases, greater control of their living standards and greater control of their finances.