Lee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Cameron, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) the proportion of Australians leasing in the private rental housing market is the highest in over 50 years,

  (ii) long-run structural changes in Australia's housing system are leading to increasing numbers of households choosing to rent on a long-term and, in some cases, a permanent basis,

  (iii) comparative international studies, including a 2011 study by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, show that tenancy laws administered by the Australian states and territories perform poorly in the provision of tenant protections against arbitrary eviction, excessive rent increases and allowing tenants the full enjoyment of their home,

  (iv) in the absence of affordable owner-occupied housing, life-long renting is now a prospect for many people, and

  (v) Australian tenancy laws may no longer be fit for purpose; and

(b) calls on the Government to work with the states, territories and relevant non-government organisations to set national minimum tenancy standards to ensure that tenants' rights are protected in relation to matters, including fairer processes around lease terminations and evictions, fair standards to govern the amounts by which rents can be increased, and provide for long-term residential leases that enable households the full enjoyment of a secure home.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Cory Bernardi (SA, Australian Conservatives) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The regulation of tenancy standards is the responsibility of the states and territories. The government is already working with states and territories through the Council on Federal Financial Relations on policy to improve affordability and the supply of housing.

Question agreed to.