By Kara Irving, reprinted from the Gladstone Observer, Thursday, 8 November, 2012

HOUSING Minister Bruce Flegg has assured residents that public housing in Gladstone will not be put up for tenure.

The minister met with Gladstone Regional Council and Roseberry Community Service members on Wednesday to discuss options to resolve the public housing shortage in the area.

In the meeting Dr Flegg discussed the need for more housing and more affordable housing across the region.

“All we want to do is provide good housing, more of it and make sure the people in public housing are looked after and supported. That is our aim,” Dr Flegg said.

“There is no suggestions of privatising or contracting out the government’s responsibilities in relation to public housing.”

Tenant advocates across the state agree with this report, reprinted from the Australian newspaper online, November 7, and written by Marty Silk.

A REVIEW of Queensland’s rental tenancy laws must focus on safety issues raised after the death of a baby, a legal firm says.

Baby Isabella Diefenbach was being held by her father on the balcony of the family’s rental property in 2010 when his foot went through a rotten wooden plank and she fell from his arms to her death.

A review called by Housing Minister Bruce Flegg will focus on balancing the interests of tenants and landlords, streamlining services and reducing red tape.

The Real Estate of Institute of Queensland says the review will eliminate unnecessary regulations and help clarify the “onerous and poorly defined” responsibilities of property managers.

But Maurice Blackburn Lawyers says the review must address key issues raised by Coroner Annette Hennessey after an investigation into the death of baby Isabella Diefenbach in 2010.

Maurice Blackburn principal Gino Andrieri said taking in coroner’s recommendations was crucial.

These included creating a clear system for recording complaints, maintenance and repairs, and providing better training for property managers.

“While the review touches on one recommendation, namely the provision of copies of inspection and pest reports to tenants, it needs to go further,” Mr Andrieri said.

“This includes the coroner’s call for the law to be amended to ensure mandatory inspections of certain decks and clarification around the definition of an emergency repair.”

YOU’RE OUT: Bruce Flegg plans a public housing policy. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

On October 31, the day the National Housing Conference opened in Brisbane and the last day of state funding for tenant advice services, journalist Sarah Vogler filed the following report in the Courier Mail.

Unruly public housing tenants face three strikes home policy

UNRULY public housing tenants will soon find themselves looking for somewhere else to live with the Newman Government set to introduce a “three strikes and you are out” policy.

And they could be out even sooner if they engage in violent or illegal behaviour, Housing Minister Bruce Flegg said.

Mr Flegg will today announce the Government’s plans to adopt a scheme similar to that used in Western Australia to help clamp down on public housing tenants who continually break the rules.

“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,” Dr Flegg said.

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

Dr Flegg said the Government wanted to send a “clear message” that if public tenants did not appreciate their homes, there were plenty of others on the waiting list who would.

But he said he would also look at measures to ensure those affected did not become homeless as a result.

“People are struggling in a range of areas including finding affordable housing options, maintaining rental tenancies and moving from homelessness to stable housing,” Dr Flegg said.

“This has increased the demand for social housing assistance with the numbers on the Queensland waiting list increasing from around 21,000 to more than 30,000 between 2008 and 2011.”

Dr Flegg, who will make the announcement at the 7th National Housing Conference in Brisbane today, flagged the policy in September and has since gained LNP support.

He said initial evidence showed the Western Australian scheme was working.

Legislation is expected to be introduced into State Parliament next year.

Reprinted from
 

Tenancy service hangs on in Gladstone on despite cuts

ONE of the region’s most important rental assistance authorities to help renters has been granted a reprieve.

Gladstone region residents still have access to the services of a full-time Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service officer despite funding cuts by the Queensland Government.

Gladstone Regional Council’s Community Services portfolio spokeswoman Maxine Brushe said residents could still access TAAS services despite some office closures at other regional centres.

“The Gladstone office continues to provide advice and advocacy to Gladstone region tenants, referring owners and lessors to the RTA and has been aiding any callers seeking support from the Rockhampton region,” Cr Brushe said.

“The level of funding Gladstone receives will determine future service provision to the community and whether outreach services can be reintroduced.”

Cr Brushe said the continuation of services meant clients could access personalised service and support in understanding their rights and responsibilities, providing advocacy with real estates and assistance with social housing.

“Further assistance offered includes completing paperwork, referrals to other agencies, support letters, providing options and continued community involvement with groups such as Interagency,” she said.

“Earlier this year, it was announced joint funding for TAAS, through the State Government’s Residential Tenancies Authority and the Department of Housing and Public Works would end on October 31,” Cr Brushe said.

As a slight reprieve, the Federal Government announced in early October that $3.3 million in emergency funding would cover the costs of TAAS until June 30.

“This pro-rata payment does not include $1 million of funding which was provided by the Department of Housing and Public Works, meaning a reduction in overall funding by 22%.”

Cr Brushe said as a result of the funding cuts, the Gladstone region had been reduced to one full-time TAAS officer, losing the services of a support officer and its provision of outreach services.

“TAAS has operated from council’s Community Advisory Service in Goondoon St since 1991 and provides valuable community assistance helping people understand their rights and responsibilities in regards to residential tenancies,” Cr Brushe said.

“In the Gladstone region, housing pressures brought about by rapid economic and population growth have created strong demand for the advocacy service.

“TAAS services have been fully booked for the past 18 months, offering free and confidential access to information, advocacy and advice.”

The Federal Government has accepted an offer from the State Government to administer funds, meaning a new service agreement is pending.

Appointments can be arranged with the Gladstone region TAAS officer by contacting 4976 6360.

Community radio station 3CR covered the issues surrounding the tenant advice services – the program discontinuation by the state government and the intervention by the Federal government to provide emergency funding – on Stick Together 14-10-12.

Click here to listen to an interview with the Tenants’ Union of Queensland’s Coordinator.  It starts just before the timer gets to half way.

The following was reported in the Quest Brisbane East newspaper on October 17.

Residents of the Monte Carlo Caravan Park in Brisbane’s Cannon Hill are still awaiting their fate. Picture: Liam Kidston Source: The Courier-Mail

Monte Carlo Caravan Park resident Tony Krajniw takes Queensland Government to supreme court over park sale

Tony Krajniw, who has lived at the Cannon Hill park for 22 years, has asked for a statement of reason justifying the sale, with the matter due to reappear in front of the courts on November 6.

Mr Krajniw said he would not take the actions lying down after receiving notification from the Government in early August of its intention to sell the site.

“Everyone is sitting back saying that it won’t happen, but I am taking action,” he said.

“I learnt the law six years ago as a greens activist and I am representing myself and doing it on my own without anyone from the caravan park.”

Monte Carlo Residents’ Voice spokesman Michael Edridge, whose group is in discussion with the Government over staying at the site, said Mr Krajniw was not backed by the greater community of the caravan park.

“We spoke to Tony when he said he was going to launch the application and asked him not to but he went forward,” Mr Edridge said. “We have been assured by the Government that any actions by Tony will not impact our discussions.”

Bulimba MP Aaron Dillaway said it was not appropriate to comment on the matter because it was before the court.

The Westender reported on the Federal government emergency funding, which means the local tenant advice service can remain open and available to tenants in the area for the next eight months.  Let’s hope we can turn around the decision by the state government by then and keep all the 23 Tenant Advice and Advocacy Services, including the Tenants’ Union of Queensland, funded passed June 2013.

Read the article from the Westender here.

The Mareeba Express also covered the announcement of interim funding from the Federal government for their local tenant advice service.  The service is now looking at how to secure its long term future.

http://www.mareebaexpress.com/announcements/feds-save-vital-service

Reprinted from The Tablelander, 9 October 2012, by Nikki Taylor

An eleventh hour Federal Government funding announcement has saved the Tableland Tenancy Advice Service, for now at least.

Late last week the Gillard Government said it would provide a $3.3 million emergency funding lifeline for the Queensland Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service, which offers advice and advocacy services to tenants across the state.

On July 24, Premier Campbell Newman announced all 23 services, including the Atherton office, would be scrapped as of October 31. Atherton TTA worker Marita Romano said the team was “thrilled” with the announcement which will see interim funding in place until July 2013. Continue reading →

Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ covered the refunding of tenant advice services by the Federal government and where that might lead to in the future.  They interviewed Tenants’ Union of Queensland Coordinator, Penny Carr, and Queensland Shelter Director, Adrian Pizaski.  Click here to play it directly from their website.

Reprinted from the Logan Albert News 10-10-12

The Mackay Daily Mercury also reported on the funding lifeline given to the local tenant advice service by Federal Minister for Housing Brendan O’Connor.  Read the artlcle here.

The Fraser Coast Chronicle reports on the Federal government’s funding package for tenant advice services.  Read the artlicle here

Reprinted from the Mackay Telegraph 6-10-12

Reprinted from the Mackay Telegraph 29-9-12