2025-06-17
The ACT Greens say there’s no sense in scrapping the Rent Relief Fund when its cost to the budget is so small, and its positive impact in the community so large.
“Our job in the balance of power is to push back against the government when we think they’re making the wrong call,” said Shane Rattenbury, ACT Greens Leader.
“With 17 organisations sharing their fears about what will happen if the Rent Relief Fund is cut, this is one of those times when we think the government is making the wrong call.”
Mr Rattenbury was the Minister who established the Rent Relief Fund in 2023, and ensured funding continued in last year’s budget. Labor has now confirmed they intend to scrap it, in their first budget as a minority government next week.
“This critical support helps families and individuals in Canberra who might otherwise become homeless. It’s a terrible place to make savings in the budget,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“We’ve got a public housing waiting list in the ACT that barely moves because there aren’t enough properties, so if people lose their rental, where are they meant to go?
“The government only needs $1.7 million to keep this Fund going. If they need help finding that money, they can look to their own $3.8 million levy on Short Term Rentals that the Greens supported earlier this year, or they can pick up the proposal the Greens have given them to raise an extra $107 million by better taxing big corporations.”
Since its re-establishment in April 2023, the Rent Relief Fund has delivered over 1400 grants, equating to two grants per day, to households in need.
“This small spend has such a big impact. The Greens aren’t ready to give up on the Rent Relief Fund, so we’ll keep working with the community to get Labor to change their minds,” Mr Rattenbury said.
Earlier this month the Greens proposed a new tax rate for the largest corporations operating in the ACT, to keep paying for essential supports including the Rent Relief Fund.