Ballina MP criticises Labor move to leave unlimited rent increases unregulated

Ballina MP criticises Labor. Today, Member for Ballina and Greens MP Tamara Smith has criticised the NSW Labor government for joining with the Liberals and Nations in speaking against a Greens bill to introduce a two-year rent freeze in New South Wales.

The government joined with the Liberals and Nationals to oppose a Private Members’ Bill from NSW Greens Housing Spokesperson Jenny Leong MP, that would have put a pause on rent increases for two years, retroactively locking in rents at the price they were on 30 June, 2023. The bill has since lapsed.

A recent report from Everybody’s Home signalled that 82% of renters are in housing stress.

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Earlier this year 80 Housing and Homelessness organisations called for a two-year rent freeze to ease the rental crisis. The German government recently announced a three-year rent freeze.

The Greens are also calling for a freeze on mortgage increases and the comprehensive regulation of short-term holiday letting across New South Wales.

Quotes attributable to Tamara Smith MP, Member for Ballina: Ballina MP criticises Labor

“I am shocked to see Labor team up with the Liberal Nationals to oppose relief for renters in the middle of a housing crisis. The major parties are not taking the housing crisis seriously, and their decision to leave rent rises unregulated is proof of that.

In the Northern Rivers, renters are facing massive increases as house prices soar. 82% of renters are in housing stress, and rents are going up seven times faster than wages.

NSW Labor had an opportunity to work with the Greens and deliver a two-year rent freeze that our community desperately needs. Instead, Labor is teaming up with the Liberals and Nationals to block sensible reforms which would see real relief for our community.

In our region, everyone is worried that their kids will have never have any prospect of secure housing. Everyone has seen cafés closed, and construction delayed, because our essential workers can’t find a place to live.

Ballina MP criticises Labor. We have 1000 flood impacted people on a waiting list for temporary housing in pods. Something has got to give.

Increasingly, it seems that the Greens are the only party with affordable housing on the agenda. At a state level, we have successfully lobbied to see an end to no-grounds evictions. And at a federal level, we have secured an additional $3 billion in spending on affordable housing.

I will continue to work with the community and my Greens colleagues to achieve real action on the housing crisis, and real support for renters.”