Category Archives: Government Press Releases

And then there were Ipswich celebrations….

Posted on by


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. Continue reading →

Qld Senator Claire Moore speaks out for tenant advice services

Posted on by

On September 18, Queensland Senator Claire Moore made a speech to the Australian Senale about the funding cuts to the Tenant Advice and Advocacy Program.  The following is an extract from Hansard.

The Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service offers very important practical services for people involved in rental housing in Queensland. Its services include assisting private rental tenants, public housing tenants, future tenants and members of the general community to understand the rules about being in rented accommodation; to gain confidence to work with the legislation, which is the basis of the process; to help people by assisting them with information and preparation for the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearings. It is always a stressful time when you are placed in that kind of situation, but TAAS was there to provide that support and information. Continue reading →

RTA to withdraw forms from Australia Post outlets

Posted on by

The Residential Tenancies Authority has started advertising their withdrawal of access to tenancy forms and bond transactions from Australia Post outlets. Access is being withdrawn on the very same day that the entire network of tenant advice services statewide is officially defunded – October 31. From that day, any tenants who don’t have a printer or computer in order to download forms, will have to call the RTA to send them out. Timing is of the essence in most tenancy disputes, some tenants simply won’t have timely access to forms.

The Minister’s funding cut announcement…..

Posted on by

Minister for Housing and Public Works The Honourable Bruce Flegg
24/07/2012
Tenant program closed to pay for new public housing

The Newman Government will discontinue the Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service (TAAS) program as part of continued efforts to accommodate the 30,000 Queensland households currently waiting for social housing.

Housing and Public Works Minister Dr Bruce Flegg said his first priority was ensuring all available funds were channelled to the area of greatest need. Continue reading →