Tag Archives: jessvanvonderdan

Be fair – at least 15% by June!

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Did you know that the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA), which is an   impartial  government authority providing information and other services to lessors, agents and tenants is fully funded from the interest generated on tenants’ bonds?

Less than 15% of tenant bond interest was previously provided to independent specialised tenant advice services and now we want that back. We call on the state government to provide AT LEAST 15% of the interest generated on tenants bonds annually for tenant advice services.

Tenants are effectively paying for services provided to industry – we are unaware of any other industry where that happens – and have now lost the only services specifically targeted to them. 

Come on state government, play fair and keep a level playing field in the residential tenancy sector by restoring funding to tenant advice services now. Without that, services will cease operating by June this year.

If you are concerned about this situation, please write to your local state member of parliament, the Housing Minister, Treasurer and or the Premier. Here’s some information about how you can help   https://savetenantservices.net.au/how-can-i-help/what-you-can-do-to-help-in-2013/

Another Blow for Queensland Tenants

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The following press release was issued today by the Tenants’ Union of Queensland.  You can view it directly on their website by clicking here. 

In another blow, Queensland tenants may be left without a representative voice in the current review of tenancy law. 

The Tenants’ Union of Queensland (TUQ) has been making representations to the Queensland government for specific funding to ensure tenants’ interests are represented as the current review of tenancy law progresses through next year.  However, no response has been received, and the TUQ now fears there will be no independent, specialist tenant voice in these debates.

 The TUQ’s recurrent funding for policy and law reform work finishes at the end of this month, after the Queensland government’s announcement last October to withdraw funding.   Given the review of tenancy laws, the TUQ has pursued specific funding to ensure the interests of tenants are represented.

‘Our organisation has been advising tenants and representing their interests in policy and law reform debates since 1986.  With no specialist voice at the table where reforms are being debated, the risk of unbalanced outcomes is heightened, with tenants being the big losers’, TUQ spokesperson, Ms Penny Carr said.

The Property Owners Association, the Real Estate Institute and housing policy advocates will now be left to debate tenancy law review outcomes without adequate specialist representation for tenants. Continue reading →

Emergency funding for tenant advice – doorstop with Minister O’Connor

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This doorstop interview makes for great reading.  Federal Minister for Housing, Brendan O’Connor, gave the interview today after making the announcement that $3.3M will be provided to tenant advice and advocacy services which have had funding pulled by the Queensland Housing Minister.

The question still remains whether the Queensland government will return tenant bond interest to them in the coming months via the funding of the tenant advice services.  Read the interview here.