2023-03-03
NSW Labor and the Liberal Nationals have now both finally come to the table and said they’ll act on unfair evictions – a long overdue reform that will be a game-changer for renters.
The Greens welcome this multipartisan commitment for rental reform and will now ramp up our push for an immediate freeze on rents and an independent rent control body to bring down rent costs and oversee dodgy landlord practices.
Commenting on reports today that the NSW Liberal Nationals will act on unfair evictions, Greens spokesperson for Housing and Renters and Member for Newtown, Jenny Leong MP said:
“This is a massive win for renters, tenant advocates, and for the Greens who have been calling for an end to unfair evictions for years.
“NSW Labor and Liberals have now finally come to the table on what will be a game changer for renters.
“This is a long overdue reform, and we’re glad to see both major parties finally come to the table. But let’s be clear that they were dragged here by tenant advocates, activists on the street, and renters struggling with out of control rents and unfair evictions.
“The Greens will ensure that the special treatment given to investors and real estate agents doesn’t dictate this legislation – no matter who forms government and brings it forward.
“Before I was elected in 2014, we committed to ending unfair evictions and have pushed the whole time to get it done.
“Just last year, the Greens introduced a bill to ban unfair evictions before Christmas - shamefully blocked by both the Liberal Nationals and NSW Labor. We’ll now ensure renters rights’ are engrained in these new laws.
“Eight years ago we set out to take on the real estate and investor lobby to ban unfair evictions. With news today that whoever forms government will act, the Greens will now be ramping up our efforts for an immediate rent freeze and rent controls in NSW.