Media Release, Wednesday, 3rd October 2012
SAVING THE TENANT ADVICE AND ADVOCACY SERVICE
The Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann today announced the Federal Labor Government will provide $3.3 million in emergency funding for the Queensland Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service (TAAS), a service scrapped by the Newman Government.
The TAAS offers essential advice and advocacy services to tenants across Queensland, including Ipswich and the Somerset Region, providing assistance to 80,000 households annually.
On July 24, all 23 services funded through the TAAS were sent notice of withdrawal of funding by the Newman Government, effective 31 October.
“Advocacy and advice services like TAAS help keep Queenslanders in their homes and are critical to preventing homelessness,” Mr Neumann said.
“The axing of this important service was just another example of the Newman Government slashing jobs and services at every opportunity with no thought for people affected or the long-term repercussions.”
Mr Neumann said the Ipswich TAAS program run by the Ipswich Regional Advocacy Service Inc (IRASI) has provided support and assistance to people through the Ipswich and Somerset Regions for many years.
“Without IRASI, people who are disabled, people with educational and life challenges could be taken advantage of.
“IRASI has about 600 tenancy contacts a month and last year supported about 150 people in court.
“It is important for local tenants to have this vital support so they do not end up homeless.
“IRASI goes to tenants across Ipswich and in places like Toogoolawah, Esk and Lowood to chat with tenants and their landlords.”
IRASI Coordinator, Arlene Lewis, said without the Federal Government’s intervention, tenants would have been vulnerable.
“We would have lost six staff members, while tenants would have not received assistance with dealing with landlords, property and their rights,” Ms Lewis said.
“IRASI supports tenants to sustain their housing so they do not end up homeless.”
Mr Neumann said he brought the issue to the attention of the Federal Housing and Homelessness Minister Brendan O’Connor, who quickly sought to correct this potentially disastrous blunder by the Newman Government.
“The Federal Labor Government is now stepping in to fix Campbell Newman’s mistake by providing $3.3 million in interim funding to keep these services going.
“Without this funding, their doors would be closed by the end of this month.”
These services largely were paid for by interest generated on tenants’ bonds, not from State Government revenue.
“This is nothing more than a short-sighted grab for tenants’ cash,” Mr Neumann said.
“The worst part is could end up costing Queenslanders more, with increased demand for public housing and crisis accommodation.”
The specifics of the distribution of Commonwealth funds will be determined with the sector and services.
The funding is committed until 30 June, 2013. This will give the Federal Government time to ensure that Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Services funding is a condition of future Commonwealth/State agreements.
“I call on Campbell Newman and the Queensland Government to fix this mistake and reinstate these services,” Mr Neumann said.