Thursday, 5 February 2026

 Nick STAIKOS (Bentleigh – Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Local Government) (14:20): I am pleased to inform the house that the Allan Labor government is further boosting support for Victorian renters by doubling its investment in programs that protect renters rights. The new renters rights program will receive $98 million over five years, greatly expanding the number of renters assisted to around 25,500 per year. Importantly, this program will establish a new central Victorian renter helpline. The helpline will provide a single point of entry for all renters who need advice and support, and in addition there will be a renter central service to support the frontline workers with advice services as well as specialist legal support for complex issues, community education and support for multicultural communities.

One of the major investments in this package will be a new older persons housing rights service, available for all renters over 55 years. I spent last year visiting residential parks in the member for Laverton’s electorate, the member for Preston’s electorate, the member for Ripon’s electorate and the member for Berwick’s electorate and also visited retirement villages, and what we heard time and time again was that older people want a dedicated service specialising in the issues they face. They want information, advice and advocacy, and that is what they will get from the Allan Labor government.

We know that more older Victorians are renting and living in retirement villages or lifestyle residential parks. These unique tenancy arrangements have required reform, and that is why the government have overhauled the Retirement Villages Act 1986 and we will shortly introduce reforms in relation to residential parks. This comes off the back of our 150 rental reforms, including Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria, and soon we will be launching Victoria’s portable rental bond scheme. Renters deserve to have the security that comes with a home, particularly in their later years. Victoria remains the best place in Australia to rent.