A report out today raises concern that thousands of Tasmanians will be unable to afford private rental accommodation when government support schemes wind back at the end of the month.
Shadow Minister for Housing Alison Standen said the Anglicare Rental Affordability Update highlights the high level of dependence on JobSeeker and describes the looming windback as a ‘ticking time bomb’.
“With Scott Morrison’s decision to cut back the support that is keeping many Tasmanian families afloat it is now essential that the Tasmanian government extends rental protections for residential tenants.
“Anglicare’s report showed that with the increase in JobSeeker, a single person could afford to rent one of 169 properties across Tasmania – compared to just 4 properties when the payment reverts to its former rate.
“We know from a report by the ANU that in June around 1.1 million Australians were living in poverty, compared with their estimate of 3.8 million if the Job Seeker supplements and Job Keeper payments weren’t in place.
“These payments will be reduced from later this month, and with rental protections also set to expire, this leaves many tenants at risk of eviction or rent hikes.
“All Tasmanian tenants deserve to be treated with dignity and respect – the government needs to act now and extend protections beyond September 30 to prevent more Tasmanians being forced into homelessness.”
“Elise Archer needs to act now to provide certainty to both tenants and landlords.”
Alison Standen
Shadow Minister for Housing
