Government must put people before politics and accept TAAS funding offer – State Opposition

Government Must Put People Before Politics And Accept TAAS Funding Offer

Press Release OFFICE OF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
TUESDAY 28 MAY 2013 

The Newman government has put politics before people, refusing to accept a Commonwealth offer to save the Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service with the Cairns TAAS already closed and Rockhampton TAAS to close by the end of the week.

Shadow Housing Minister Jo-Ann Miller said although the LNP government had an offer of $2.5 million in Federal funds on the table, it was determined to doom the TAAS service by playing petty political games instead of helping the thousands of Queenslanders who rely on the critical service to keep a roof over their heads. 

Mrs Miller said Housing Minister Tim Mander was showing his true cruel and callous colours by refusing to accept the offer and keep TAAS offices in regional centres throughout the state open.

“With a stroke of his pen Mr Mander can save thousands of families the anguish they will experience once this service is gone,” Mrs Miller said. 

“Instead, he chooses to play silly political games, refusing to even respond to this offer of $2.5 million which will keep TAAS offices open for the next six months. 

“That’s typical of a government that would axe this frontline service in the first place.  Continue reading

Breaking News! Commonwealth offers the State TAAS funding resolution

Will your local member support this – and the continuation of TAAS in youir community? Why not ask them!

Joint Press Release  May 23
THE HON WAYNE SWAN MP 
Deputy Prime Minster Treasurer
THE HON MARK BUTLER MP Minister for Housing and Homelessness

NEWMAN GOVERNMENT MUST FUND CRITICAL TENANT SERVICES

The Gillard Government today announced a $2.5 million life-raft to the Queensland Government to continue critical advice and advocacy services to vulnerable tenants for another six months.

Treasurer Wayne Swan said the Government funding offer, if accepted by Premier Newman, would allow current services to continue under the Queensland Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service (QTAAS).

“I would hope Mr Newman takes this opportunity to right a wrong – sit down with the Queensland Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service in good faith negotiations on a long term agreement,” Mr Swan said.

“These services are recognised as a core state and territory responsibility — every other jurisdiction in Australia funds tenant advice and advocacy services — and last month all states and territories agreed in principle to continue providing these services.” Continue reading

NPA on homelessness – 5 States & Territories sign but Queensland not yet!

STATES AND ACT ADD THEIR SIGNATURES TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S NATIONAL HOMELESSNESS AGREEMENT

THE HON MARK BUTLER MP
Minister for Housing and Homelessness  Press Release 14 May 2013

Five of the states and territories have now signed on to the Federal Government’s National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness for 2013/14 guaranteeing federal funds will flow to their states.

Mr Butler said the Commonwealth had put up to $159 million on the table in March on the condition that states matched funding.

“New South Wale, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the ACT have all signed on to the agreement, which also makes them eligible to bid for further funding under the Development Fund as part of a competitive process,” Mr Butler said.

“Applications for the Development Fund close today, so I urge remaining state governments to finance their share of this agreement to guarantee their state also has access to the fund.”

“This funding will ensure services which help give people a hand up every day have the certainty they need to continue delivering critical support.”

Mr Butler said achieving real results in reducing homelessness was only possible through joint responsibility and collaborative action.

“The transitional agreement provides funding to the sector over the next 12 months, while the Australian and state and territory governments negotiate a longer-term response to homelessness.”

“It’s now time for Queensland, WA and the Northern Territory to provide surety to homelessness service providers and their clients by committing their share of funds and signing the agreement as soon as possible.”

The National Partnership Agreement is part of the Federal Government’s $26 billion investment in housing and homelessness services, which aims to halve the rate of homelessness by 2020.

SA signs up for homelessness agreement – will Qld?

South Australia signs up for homelessness partnership agreement and becomes eligible to for $38 million in federal funding for capital and development projects.  Will Queensland?

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE   28 April 2013 from
Hon Mark Butler Federal Minister for Housing and Homelessness and Hon Tony Piccolo SA Minister for Social Housing

SOUTH AUSTRALIA DELIVERS FUNDS FOR NATIONAL HOMELESSNESS AGREEMENT

South Australia has dedicated $8.62 million to the 2013–14 transitional homelessness agreement, securing $17 million in joint federal-state funding aimed at reducing homelessness across the State.

The announcement follows the commitment made by all states and territories at the March meeting of the COAG Select Council on Housing and Homelessness, where ministers confirmed their ongoing commitment to homelessness services funded under the current National Partnership Agreement.

Federal Minister for Housing and Homelessness Mark Butler said South Australia would also now be able to bid for $38 million in federal funding for capital and development projects that help people move out of homelessness into safe and sustainable housing. Continue reading

FEDS SAY NEWMAN GOVERNMENT TO LEAVE TENANTS OUT IN THE COLD

THE HON MARK BUTLER MP Mark Butler
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing
Minister for Housing and Homelessness
Minister for Social Inclusion
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform

MEDIA RELEASE 11 April 2013

If there was any doubt about the callous approach of the Newman Government to vulnerable Queenslanders, those doubts have dissipated today as they cancelled funding agreements with organisations supporting vulnerable housing tenants like the elderly and people living in caravan parks.

Despite the Federal Government increasing funding for Queensland services under the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness, the Newman Government have written to 23 tenant advice and advocacy services to cancel their funding agreements.

Currently, tenant advice and advocacy services are recognised as core state responsibilities and earlier this month all states and territories agreed in principal to continue providing these services. Continue reading

Opposition says Disgraceful Newman Government Confirms TAAS Axed

OFFICE OF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITIONJo-Ann Miller

Press Release THURSDAY 11 APRIL 2013

Shadow Housing Minister Jo-Ann Miller says the Newman Government has this afternoon confirmed it will abandon tenants needing assistance by not reinstating funds to 23 Tenant Advice and Advocacy Services (TAAS) across Queensland that will now close their doors on June 30.

“Today, the Newman Government has confirmed tenant advice and advocacy services in Queensland will cease to exist,” Mrs Miller said.

“There is now no-where in Queensland for tenants to go to access advice on their rights and obligations.

“Following the LNP government’s decision to cut these frontline services in July 2012 the federal government intervened to provide $3.3 million in emergency funding until 30 June 2013.

“This has allowed TAAS services to keep their doors open and provide free information and advice on affordable housing, maintenance of properties, rent increases, assistance with going to court when meditation has failed and enquiries about rent arrears.

“TAAS providers across Queensland were hopeful the new Minister for Housing Tim Mander would reverse the previous Minister’s decision last year to axe these services. Continue reading

Opposition responds to ‘three strikes’ policy

Press Release THURSDAY 4 APRIL 2013
OFFICE OF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

Newman Government Grandstanding On Existing Public Housing Policy

 Shadow Housing Minister Jo-Ann Miller says the Newman Government’s “three-strikes and you’re out” public housing policy is a rehash of existing procedures but takes away tenants’ appeal rights.

 “Bad tenants should not be tolerated in public or private housing under any circumstance, but the existing rules allow for serious offenders to be evicted after just ‘one strike’ with others liable to be shown the door after ‘three strikes’ in one year,” Mrs Miller said.

 “There are no details yet of the Newman Government’s approach especially whether it is based on a WA model that does not allow a tenant to appeal a ‘strike’ notice or enter mediation, where the current Queensland model does.

 “This is another example of the Newman Government demonising disadvantaged Queenslanders and taking rights away from tenants who may already be in a position where they are unable to defend themselves.

 “On top of this, the Newman Government has scrapped funding to more than 20 Tenant Advocacy and Advice Services (TAAS) across the state supported by the Tenants’ Union of Queensland. Continue reading

‘Rogue tenants put on notice’ – Minister’s press release

Press release from Minister for Housing & Public Works, the Hon Tim Mander Issued 4 April 2013

Rogue public housing tenants will soon face stricter penalties for bad behaviour with the Newman Government today launching a “three-strikes and you’re out” policy.

Minister for Housing Tim Mander said the new policy would see problem tenants evicted if they failed to curb their behaviour.

“While the majority of our tenants do the right thing, there is an anti-social minority who treat their neighbours with contempt and the taxpayers with disdain,” Mr Mander said.

“Under Labor it was almost impossible to get evicted, no matter how badly you behaved.

“Those days are now over. People need to realise that that public housing is a privilege that comes with certain responsibilities.

“At a bare minimum, people are expected to refrain from destroying the property or using it to conduct a criminal enterprise. Similarly, there is an expectation that tenants won’t behave in a way that is unnecessarily disruptive to others in the neighbourhood.” Continue reading

Shadow Housing Minister calls on Qld gov’t to refund TAAS

OFFICE OF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
MONDAY 1 APRIL 2013
LNP Must Ensure TAAS Services Continue

Shadow Housing Minister Jo-Ann Miller says the Newman Government must provide funding to ensure more than 20 Tenant Advice and Advocacy Services (TAAS) across Queensland keep their doors open beyond June 30.

“TAAS services have proved their worth as a source of information and advice for tenants who might otherwise be ripped off by unscrupulous landlords,” Mrs Miller said.

“I am calling on the new Housing Minister Tim Mander to reverse the previous Minister’s decision last year to axe these services.

“Following the LNP government’s decision to cut these frontline services in July 2012 the federal government intervened to provide $3.3 million in emergency funding until 30 June 2013.

“This has allowed TAAS services to keep their doors open and provide free information and advice on affordable housing, maintenance of properties, rent increases, assistance with going to court when meditation has failed and enquiries about rent arrears.

“TAAS also ensures tenants better understand their rights and responsibilities under Queensland laws.”

Mrs Miller said Mr Mander must now provide funds to ensure frontline TAAS services continued beyond the end of the financial year.

“I understand the federal government is requiring Queensland to provide ongoing funding for tenant advice as a way to potentially cut homelessness and I urge Mr Mander to include TAAS funding as part of this strategy.”

Mrs Miller said TAAS services operated in:

  •        Brisbane — New Farm, Stafford, West End, Wynnum,  Acacia Ridge, Zillmere
  • ·        Logan
  • ·        the Gold Coast
  • ·        Ipswich
  • ·        the Sunshine Coast — Gympie and Nambour
  • ·        Bundaberg
  • ·        Central Queensland — Gladstone and Rockhampton
  • ·        Toowoomba
  • ·        Roma
  • ·        Mackay
  • ·        Proserpine
  • ·        Townsville
  • ·        Far North Queensland — Cairns and Atherton
  • ·        Mt Isa.

“TAAS was previously funded through a portion of the interest generated from tenant bonds held by the Residential Tenancies Authority to ensure that tenants across Queensland have the best possible support available,” she said.

Breaking news – new homelessness agreement signed

A new homelessness partnership agreement has been signed between the Commonwealth and State.  We don’t know enough details yet in regard to tenancy advice funding but will keep you posted.  Here is an exerpt from Minister Butler’s press release and then a communique from today’s meeting.

“The Australian Government today announced a $320 million agreement with the states and territories which ensures the continued provision of vital homelessness services.

The Federal Government made $159 million available in early March, conditional on the
states and territories agreeing to match the Commonwealth’s contribution. At today’s COAG Select Council on Housing and Homelessness, all state and territory housing ministers confirmed their commitment to these vital homelessness services.

Federal Minister for Housing and Homelessness Mark Butler said the agreement ensures that services currently provided under the current National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness continue.

COAG Select Council on Housing and Homelessness
28 March 2013 meeting Communiqué

The COAG Select Council on Housing and Homelessness met on 28 March 2013, in Melbourne.

 National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness

Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a future long term National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) subject to individual jurisdictional approval. Ministers recognise the importance of putting in place appropriate transitional arrangements to afford time to finalise a longer term agreement which Ministers recognise as critical to tackling homelessness. The transitional arrangement will provide some certainty to individuals and their service providers. The transitional arrangements would see the Commonwealth, States and Territories contribute almost $320m to tackle homelessness in 2013-14. This includes a combined development fund of $76m that will provide new accommodation arrangements. Continue reading

JPs to hear QCAT matters, trial one step closer

Judging upThe following is a press release from the State Attorney-General, Mr Jarrod Bleijie, from today, March 19.

Changes expand eligibility for JP QCAT trial

The Government’s JP QCAT trial is a step closer after the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Justices of the Peace) Amendment Bill 2013 was introduced in Parliament today.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie said based on feedback received during consultation, the original criteria had been amended to make more JP’s eligible for the trial.

“The provision for legally qualified JP’s to have five years’ experience as a JP and three years’ post-admission experience has been removed,” Mr Bleijie said.

“This means any legally qualified JP can now enrol in the program, including those who applied originally but did not meet the criteria. Continue reading

Gov’t moves on 3 strikes policy for social housing tenants

Tenants'voiceThis article in last Friday’s Brisbane Times reported on a new ‘three strikes’ policy for social housing tenants.  Whilst there is limited detail about the policy at this stage, there are several concerns with this announcement.

Friday’s statement by Housing Minister Tim Mander follows on from previous Housing Minister, Dr Bruce Flegg, who announced the policy intent  at the opening of the National Housing Conference in Brisbane last November. We assume that Minister Mander’s policy will broadly follow the parameters set out in Dr Flegg’s speech. Here’s a quote from that speech:

“The overwhelming majority of public housing tenants do the right thing, however there is a minority whose anti-social behaviour can affect the lives of those around them,” Dr Flegg said.

“I am proposing to crack down on these unruly tenants by asking them to leave if they receive three strikes within 12 months for disruptive behaviour like noisy parties, vandalism or destroying property.

“If tenants have engaged in assault, acts of violence or drug manufacturing, the department would immediately initiate legal action to evict them.

Such statements might sound reasonable to many people and have populist appeal but, when looked at in depth, do they achieve the government’s desired outcome?

This article discusses the following questions: are there unintended consequences for vulnerable households, will these changes undermine due process in dealing with allegations of ‘unruly conduct’; does the government already have the power to do what these changes propose to do; and, is it fair to develop such a policy where there is no tenant advocate to engage with the government about the proposals. Continue reading

Commonwealth makes homelessness funding offer to states

As per today’s media release (see below) from the Federal Minister for Housing, Mark Butler, the Commonwealth have now made their offers to the states regarding a new homelessness partnership agreement. This agreement provides for joint funding from both levels of government for services working to prevent and those working with the homeless.

The current agreement runs out on June 30.  In Queensland, like other states and territories, we are awaiting the state government’s response to the offer to provide clarity for these services as well as for the workers whose jobs rest on the agreement’s outcome.  The govenment’s response may also provide clarity for the future of tenant advice services.   We wait nervously.

Housing Ministers  meet again on March 28. Continue reading