Author Archives: Lead Organiser

Tenant Story #4

Posted on by

A client had an appointment at our outreach service and presented to the appointment with her Notice of an Unresolved Dispute from the RTA.  She had until 5pm that afternoon to get her claim number in (which you get after you lodge an application in QCAT), otherwise her $1200 bond would be paid out to the other party, the agent.

The client was an elderly lady with numerous health problems and was distressed as she had lodged her QCAT application, Request for Attendance for Hearing by Remote Conference and Application for Waiver of Fees at the local court house, four days earlier and not heard a thing.

The property was in another area but this client was advised by the local courthouse that she could lodge the paperwork at this court house and they would forward it on.  She did not get a receipt as she had requested a waiver of fees. Continue reading →

Redundant Rocky TAAS worker shares some history

Posted on by

On his last day, Rocky TAAS worker Craig sent us this potted history as he shut the doors for the last time. 14-2 two

In December 1988 the Queensland Housing Commission offered to make available to Community Organisations participating in Mortgage and Rent Relief schemes a one-off grant to employ a Housing Referral Worker.

The expected duties of the Worker were:

  • To assist people locate suitable accommodation in the private rental market;
  • To assist people obtain Commission bond guarantees, rent relief and long term accommodation;
  • To assist with tenancy law advice;
  • To assist those in crisis with practical support.

Our first Housing Referral Worker was Ron Leeks with the then auspicing organisation of Rockhampton Family Emergency Accommodation Programme (FEAP).

In July 1991 the Housing Referral Worker Programme became the Housing Resource Worker Programme with the newly formed Department of Housing and Local Government. When Ron moved on to greener pastures he was replaced with Keith Mansfield and around 1996-97 the programme auspice was transferred to CQ Consumers Association at the request of the SAAP service, FEAP.

I joined in 1998 as Keith’s relief worker and did my first block of training in tenancy law at the Tenants Union of Queensland offices in Teneriffe, and what trendy offices they were 

Over the years I’ve gone from relief work to part time work to full time, guess I always was a sucker for punishment. It is with great sadness that I have to oversee the closure of a service that has worked tirelessly for almost 25 years, I’ve had to bin and shred documents almost as old as I am.

From all the past workers who have championed the cause of a fair go for tenants in Central Queensland; Ron Leeks, Keith Mansfield, Margaret Whitton, Craig Jackson, Maureen Neal, Leonie Lane, Lyn & Alex Gartlan, Debbie Willebrand and Katelyn Clements; we say…

Fare thee well and good fortune smile upon your future endeavours, the axe is falling and we will cease to be in just over two hours at 12:30 pm local time.

(Editor’s note:  the service had to close a month early because Craig found a new job.  After 14 years he was made redundant but has no access or right to a redundancy payout.  It is a far cry from the Premier’s comments last year the all public service redundancies were voluntary and everyone got big payout.  Wrong on both counts in this case) 

Rocky TAAS says goodbye

Posted on by

Losing their last trained worker and without funding security after June 30, the challenges were just too big for the Rockhampton TAAS.  If the State accepted the $2.5M offer of funding from the Commonwealth, maybe tenants there would still have access to specialist tenancy advice.  Here’s a final message from Rocky TAASRocky T2

Federal funds boost service for vulnerable tenants – QT

Posted on by

Reprinted from the Queensland Times Ipswich May 28 by Joel Gould
THE Ipswich Regional Advocacy Service (IRASI) is set to receive an extra six months of funding from the Federal Government to continue its work providing advice and advocacy services to vulnerable tenants.

Blair MP Shayne Neumann said the government would provide a $2.5 million life-raft to the LNP State Government to keep the Queensland Tenant Advice and Advocacy Services (QTAAS) going so long as it was accepted by the Premier Campbell Newman.

Mr. Neumann said the State Government’s decision to defend QTAAS was “hanging like a black cloud over the head of this vital local service”.

IRASI’s contract ends next month on June 30 and Mr. Neumann said “the decision by the LNP State Government has been short-sighted, legally senseless and economically irrational.

“This service is recognized as a core state and territory responsibility with every other jurisdiction in Australia funding tenant advice and advocacy services,” he said.

“Every day the dedicated workers at IRASI work hard to help tenants keep a roof over their head and avoid becoming homeless.

“They deserve to know what their future holds.

“QTAAS services are critical in preventing homelessness and supporting vulnerable tenants.”

Minister for Housing and Public Works Tim Mender told The QT recently that the government would be “redirecting funds from TAAS in order to provide additional social housing for our neediest Queenslanders”.

“The services provided by QTAAS are available through other government agencies like the Residential Tenancies Authority, through government-funded programs like Rent Connect and other community organisations,” he said.

Housing Minister Mander & Tenants’ Union on ABC 612

Posted on by
From Steve Austin's blog site

From Steve Austin’s blog site

This morning Steve Austin’s program on ABC 612 featured an piece about the tenant advice services and the offer from the Commonwealth to fund them.  Click here to listen  to Housing Minister Mander trying to explain why it is a good idea not to take $2.5M to help Queensland  battlers and the Tenants’ Union of Queensland’s response to that.

Gillard Government fails Queensland’s homeless

Posted on by

Joint Press Release May 30
Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services Hon Tracey Davis
Minister for Housing and Public Works The Hon Tim Mander

The Newman Government has signed the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) despite the Gillard Government only committing to one year of funding certainty for homelessness services in Queensland.

Communities Minister Tracy Davis and Housing Minister Tim Mander said Queensland wanted to secure a long-term funding solution for homelessness, and was disappointed the Gillard Government refused to look beyond the September election.

“The Queensland Government sought a long-term agreement so we could continue to provide on-the-ground support for the homeless, but the Gillard Government has failed to allocate a single dollar beyond the next financial year,” Ms Davis said.

“Previously, the Federal Government had committed to halve the rate of homelessness by 2020—clearly this commitment has been forgotten.

“Australia needs a government which will stand up and act like adults and make decisions in the best interests of the community, instead of making short-term decisions based on a looming election.”

Mr Mander said the Newman Government was given a deadline to sign the partnership agreement to secure homelessness funding in 2013–2014.

“This stunt is just a quick fix to get this current dysfunctional Federal Government in crisis through to the next election,” Mr Mander said.

“Threats to deny the Queensland community of vital services is what we have come to expect from a Labor Government that throws temper-tantrums when things don’t go its way.

“The Newman Government is committed to tackling Queensland’s homelessness both now and in the future and we want the Gillard Government to play its part, but they need to get fair dinkum about this, and offer up a funding commitment that goes beyond the next 12 months.”

ALL STATES SIGN HOMELESSNESS AGREEMENT BUT NEWMAN GOVERNMENT STILL LAGS BEHIND

Posted on by

Media Release 30 May 2013
THE HON MARK BUTLER MP Minister for Housing and Homelessness

From today, homelessness services across Australia have the certainty they need to continue providing critical support to vulnerable Australians, with all states and territories having now signed a $320 million national homelessness agreement for 2013/14.

But Federal Minister for Housing and Homelessness Mark Butler was bitterly disappointed that the Newman Government has soured the deal by refusing to accept Commonwealth funding to continue critical tenant advice and advocacy services.

“Every state government in Australia should hold their head high today, except the Newman Government whose bloody-mindedness could spell the end for dozens of advocacy services across the state, funded through the Queensland Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service,” Mr Butler said.

“The Queensland Housing Minister Tim Mander is flat out refusing to take funding offered by the Commonwealth to keep these services going over the next six months which is frankly bizarre.”

“I’m not sure if this is a ‘parallel universe’ where a state is being offered $2.5 million in funding for homelessness services and knocks it back for no reason, other than pride.”

“I know that the service providers are dumbfounded – they’re shaking their heads and saying: what state Minister in his right mind would knock this offer back?”

“Let’s be clear – the Newman Government’s decision to refuse federal funding will result in families living on the streets.”

“Every day, dedicated workers in these support services work hard to help tenants keep a roof over their head and avoid becoming homeless. They deserve to know what their own future holds.”

“The good news is that every other state is doing the right thing and continuing to fund their tenant advice and advocacy services.”

The National Partnership Agreement is part of the Australian Government’s $26 billion investment in housing and homelessness, which aims to halve the rate of homelessness and offer supported accommodation to all rough sleepers who seek it by 2020.

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

Posted on by

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 →