Wednesday, 4 March 2026

 Nick STAIKOS (Bentleigh – Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Local Government) (14:22): Every Victorian deserves a home that is safe, secure and stable, and that is exactly what the Allan Labor government has been delivering through our rental reforms. For Victorians who work from home, it is important to recognise a simple truth: working from home is only possible when the home itself is secure. That is why the Allan Labor government’s rental reforms matter so much. Working from home can be cheaper for Victorian families, cutting the cost of fuel, fares and parking. Now renters cannot be uprooted without warning or left in a property that is not fit to live or work in. We have banned no-fault evictions, so renters can feel secure working from home. They can now plan their work and family routines with greater confidence. Our minimum rental standards ensure homes are safe, comfortable and fit for modern life, including working from home, and our portable rental bond scheme will guarantee that renters who move are only ever out of pocket for one bond, not two, saving them time and money. These reforms matter because secure housing is the foundation for modern work.

As Victoria moves toward stronger working-from-home rights in September this year, workers will have the security that they need to participate fully in the workforce. These reforms work together: stronger protections for renters and greater security for workers who choose to work from home. That is what governing with a plan looks like, and that is what the Allan Labor government is delivering. I was listening to Raf Epstein’s program this morning. I found out that not everyone supports our working-from-home reforms, and come to think of it – Deirdre Chambers – it is the same people who opposed our rental reforms. The Liberal–National–One Nation coalition will cut it all if given the chance.