Thursday, 2 April 2026

 Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:47): (2293) My constituency question is for the Minister for Consumer Affairs. Several Ballarat constituents have contacted my office because they are experiencing significant challenges with finding affordable rentals. It is not just them. Ballarat has a significant rental crisis, with vacancies below 1 per cent and median rents rising by approximately 27 per cent. The rent-to-income ratio has reached a stressed 28.1 per cent, with many renters, particularly in Ballarat central, facing intense competition and financial strain. Constituents are also seeing their rent raised multiple times over the course of their tenancy, with each increase eroding their ability to cover basic living costs. Rental affordability in regional Victoria has reached its lowest point on record, with Ballarat classed as unaffordable or moderately unaffordable in the 2025 Rental Affordability Index by National Shelter and SGS Economics and Planning. Minister, will the Victorian government commit to introducing rent caps and give wages a chance to catch up to the cost of rent?