ACT Greens Member for Brindabella Johnathan Davis MLA will tomorrow move a motion in the ACT Legislative Assembly, requesting an inquiry into platform-based short-term accommodation, like AirBNB.
“Australia is in the midst of a rental affordability crisis. And in a crisis, you have to look at everything, and you have to do it all at once”, Mr Davis said.
“Canberra is experiencing a shortage of long-term rental accommodation which is contributing to our city having the highest median rents in the country.
“Platform-based short-term accommodation like AirBNB is increasingly popular with property owners. Sites like AirBNB allow property owners to make a good return on their property investment without entering into tenancy agreements which afford tenants certain rights.
“I think most Canberrans would be shocked to learn there is currently no regulations or restrictions on platform-based short-term accommodation in the ACT.
“In March 2022, I moved a motion in the Assembly requesting an inquiry into a ‘Vacancy Tax’, saying at the time”:
“…such an inquiry would allow us to work out exactly how many residential properties are vacant in Canberra and why. This work is so important while Australia grapples with a housing affordability crisis. We cannot afford to have a single home in Canberra vacant while we have so many who need a home”.
“Yesterday, the Standing Committee on Economy and Gender & Economic Equality announced it would conduct an inquiry. We also need to look at platform-based short term accommodation because Australia is in the midst of a rental affordability crisis. And in a crisis, you have to look at everything, and you have to do it all at once.
