New
data released by the ABS highlights just how badly the Liberals have failed
Tasmanian renters over the past ten years.
Rents in
Tasmania have risen more than in any other State, climbing by an average of
$120 a week, or more than $6,000 a year, since July 2018. In contrast, in
Victoria rents have risen by less than $45.
The
Liberals have done nothing for the past ten years while the crisis facing
renters in Tasmania has continued to escalate.
Building
approvals are down nearly 40% compared to two years ago, while the single
statewide planning scheme they promised is nowhere to be seen.
More than
two properties a day are being converted into short stay accommodation, because
the Liberals have ignored sensible suggestions that would help ensure more
homes remain available for Tasmanian renters.
Frankly, if
the Liberals were going to take action to support renters, they would’ve done
it by now.
That’s why
a Labor Government will get more homes built by finalising the long-promised
planning scheme, and will also ensure no more homes are lost to short-stay
accommodation by placing an immediate pause on any new whole home permits.
Labor
will also urgently repair the 215 social and government houses sitting empty
because they are “untenantable” to give 215 families a safe place to call home.
| Figure 3: Median weekly rent | ||||||||
| NSW ($) | VIC ($) | QLD ($) | SA ($) | WA ($) | TAS ($) | NT ($) | ACT ($) | |
| Jun-18 | 490 | 375.1 | 380 | 320 | 350 | 270 | 450 | 470 |
| Feb-23 | 530 | 420 | 450 | 380 | 450 | 390 | 500 | 560 |
| Percentage increase | 8.16 | 11.97 | 18.42 | 18.75 | 28.57 | 44.44 | 11.11 | 19.15 |
| Dollar increase | 40.00 | 44.90 | 70.00 | 60.00 | 100.00 | 120.00 | 50.00 | 90.00 |
| Source: ABS | ||||||||
| Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, New insights into the rental market 24/04/2023 |
Ella Haddad MP
Shadow Housing Minister
