Tenant Advice Network Alive and Well in Queensland – Tenants’ Union

Tenants’ Union of Queensland Media release September 3, 2013

The rebranded Tenant Advice Network Queensland (TANQ) today announced that independent tenant advice services are alive and well in the state.

Free tenancy advice continues to be available locally across the state, although services have now been sub-contracted by the Tenants’ Union of Queensland (TUQ) rather than the State government.

‘Whilst funding is still only secured until the end of December, all tenant advice locations have been retained despite a long thirteen month fight for the survival of our services,’ said TUQ spokesperson, Ms Penny Carr.

Tenants can access free advice services at the locations attached. The TUQ’s statewide advice service is available on 1300 744263

The commitment of workers and committees of management has been astounding according to the TUQ.‘Services are passionately committed to providing continued access to independent tenancy advice. It is a tribute to them that despite twice coming within three weeks of funding withdrawal, services have been able to continue their important work.’, said Ms Carr.

The TUQ is now the program manager of the TANQ and has sub-contracts in place with 16 local providers. Six services have found it too difficult to continue but the TUQ has stepped into these locations, ensuring access to local tenancy advice has continued.

In July 2012, in mid contract, the State Housing Minister provided three months’ notice of funding withdrawal. In early October the Commonwealth government stepped in with one off emergency funding to take services through to last June, monies the state government agreed to administer.

In late May this year without a long term solution, the Commonwealth government again offered six months’ worth of funding for the network of services. This time the State government refused to administer the monies and the TUQ accepted the offer of becoming the program manager.

‘In just a few weeks we had to adjust our plan to reduce our own services to about an eight of our original size, to rapidly expanding and becoming program managers for the sector of services. It is a challenge we gladly accepted as it means the continuation of vital advice services for Queensland tenants’, said Ms Carr.

The TUQ will be working to find a long term funding solution with the State government in the coming months.

Tenants can access free advice services at the locations attached. The TUQ’s statewide advice service is available on 1300 744263

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