Wednesday, 1 April 2026

 Nick STAIKOS (Bentleigh – Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Local Government) (14:21): The Allan Labor government is continuing to make renting fairer and more affordable in Victoria, and, building on more than 150 rental reforms already delivered, further changes commenced just yesterday. One critical reform requires additional factors to be considered when determining if a rent increase is excessive. Contrary to the claim by the Greens political party, your rent cannot go up by whatever your rental provider wants it to, because the director of Consumer Affairs Victoria and Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria can now compare the proposed rent to the increased rent, as well as the rate of increase compared to inflation, to decide if the rent increase is excessive. That means sharper oversight, it means fairer outcomes and it means more muscle in the system for renters.

It was no surprise that today the Greens political party attempted to mislead Victorian renters. Let me correct the record. The recent rental affordability report by realestate.com found that by some margin Victoria stands out as the most affordable state to rent. When we came to government, Victoria was the second-least affordable state to rent. It is now the most affordable, and that is not an accident; it is the product of a Labor government that is prepared to act. We know that renters are doing it tough, and we will continue to do the work. Very soon I will be announcing the launch date of the portable rental bond scheme.

The contrast could not be clearer. The Greens political party is still trying to pass off the same old bill as though reheating leftovers counts as fresh policy when all of the independent experts, including the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, say that it just will not work. It is only Labor who can be trusted to deliver for renters. The Greens political party do not have a seat at the table, and the Liberal–National–One Nation coalition will tear down these supports for renters.