Tuesday, 31 March 2026

 Anasina GRAY-BARBERIO (Northern Metropolitan) (12:51): (2266) My question is to the Minister for Housing and Building. My electorate of Northern Metro has more renters than the state average and is one of the most multicultural regions in Victoria. You see it in the many languages spoken at home: Hindi, Arabic, Italian and Greek. A recent study by the University of Melbourne and Tenants Victoria found 69 per cent of renters from multicultural backgrounds experienced racism when trying to secure housing, and 61 per cent were denied housing or treated less favourably. Families are contacting my office describing being forced to pay six months rent in advance or to pay above advertised prices or to accept substandard housing with mould and pest infestations, just to secure a home – conditions that breach Victorian rental laws. Minister, in a housing crisis, what are you doing to hold racist property managers and agents accountable and stop my constituents from being discriminated against when seeking rental housing?