Questions without notice and ministers statements
Housing affordability
Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:00): (161) My question is to the minister representing the Premier, and it relates to the rental crisis that our state is facing. Renters are in turmoil. Prices are surging. Rentals are at the most unaffordable rates they have been in the last nine years. Vacancy rates are ridiculously low, and people are accepting substandard properties that are in a horrible condition as it is all they can find or afford. Premier, you have done it before. During the pandemic Victoria froze rents. The majority of Victorians support a freeze on rent increases in the current circumstances. Will you implement one?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:01): I thank Mr Puglielli for his question for the Premier. I do not know about everyone else in this chamber, but I try and tune into the Assembly question time when I can. I believe that Mr Read asked a very similar question of the Premier yesterday, and I think he gave the answer, so I think I can probably print out yesterday’s Hansard and provide it to Mr Puglielli.
Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:01): I thank the member for that response. I would like to stress that we need to take action now. People are struggling, as I am sure many in this chamber would see. They are one rent rise away from crisis, from homelessness. They are going without so they can afford rent. They are living in sometimes squalid conditions. We must do something now. To the Premier, by way of supplementary, I would like to ask: in addition to a freeze on rents, will you also cap the rate of rent increases moving forward so that people are not pushed out of their homes by unreasonable rent increases?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:02): Mr Puglielli, I understand your concern for people with cost-of-living issues, and that is fine. But I think the theatre that you present with your question is a little bit disingenuous, because the question was asked yesterday of the Premier. If you were fully wanting a different answer then you would probably ask the relevant minister, which would be the Minister for Consumer Affairs when it comes to rent, who would be able to provide you with a detailed chronology of the interventions, the investments and the support that this government has provided to renters in this state. We continue to support people through cost-of-living issues, and we will continue to do that. I am very happy to work with you and your suggestions but perhaps in a more constructive way.