Victorian renters fed up with Labor turning their backs on their rights will gather today at a rally organised by the Greens, the Renters and Housing Union, and the Victorian Socialists, to call for an end to skyrocketing rents.
The Greens say unlimited rent increases should be illegal, yet the Victorian Labor Government has failed to curb out-of-control rental inflation, consistently knocking back the push for rent controls like a rent freeze.
Latest SQM data revealed Melbourne rents had increased 17.5 per cent in the past year.
Victorian Greens renters’ rights spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri, said while Labor continued to allow unlimited rent increases, more and more renters would face housing stress and homelessness.
She said the momentum for rent controls had been building over the past twelve months, and was becoming increasingly difficult for governments to ignore.
The rally for renters will take place on the corner of Smith Street and Gertrude Street in Fitzroy.
The electorate of Richmond, which takes in Fitzroy, has one of the largest proportions of renters in the state.
As stated by Victorian Greens renters’ rights spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri MP:
“Unlimited rent rises should be illegal.
“Yet Labor is giving landlords permission to keep jacking up rents by as much as they like while renters struggle to pay rent and put food on the table.
“Renters are not going away quietly while Labor gives greedy landlords high-fives. Renters are sick of mouldy homes and out-of-control rents and will keep fighting until their rights are met.
“We need a rent freeze now, followed by a cap on rent increases.”
