Airbnb takes stand against Labor amid growth in western Sydney

AIRBNB has taken a stand against the Labor Party ahead of next year’s NSW election as the online portal’s popularity in western Sydney continues to soar.

Dundas superhost Sarah Kerr is cashing in on the growing popularity of Airbnb in western Sydney. Picture: AAP Image/ Angelo Velardo

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AIRBNB has taken a stand against the Labor Party ahead of next year’s NSW election as the online portal’s popularity in western Sydney continues to soar.

The accommodation giant — which has a global worth of $42 billion — sent an email on Friday to thousands of its members discouraging them from voting for Labor at the state poll on March 23.

It claims that Labor’s plans for a mandatory regulation scheme on short-term rentals is “backing the big end of town”.

“Western Sydney families struggling with the cost-of-living will be worse off under NSW Labor’s current policy,” Airbnb’s public affairs manager Julian Crowley said.

“Under Labor’s current policy, it would be harder and more expensive to earn extra income or afford a family holiday.”

Airbnb is gaining a strong foothold in western Sydney.

A Labor spokesman said it made “no apology” for wanting to get the balance right between community concerns and those making money from short-term letting.

Airbnb’s political push comes as its popularity grows in the west, with listings on the rise and a doubling of inbound guests and superhosts over the past year.

Latest data shows Parramatta hosted nearly 8000 inbound guests and nearly 30,000 people from the local area used Airbnb as guests, an increase of 34 per cent on the previous year.

The typical Airbnb host in Parramatta earned more than $4100 last year, just below Carlingford ($5200) and Penrith ($4800). Granville hosts made an average of $3100.

“We are seeing significant growth in western Sydney, with more people using Airbnb as both hosts and guests,” Mr Crowley said.

Dundas superhost Sarah Kerr said the extra income generated from letting a room out in her three-bedroom property, at $49 a night, helped give her a better lifestyle.

Happy host: Sarah Kerr, 36, of Dundas. Picture: AAP Image/ Angelo Velardo

“My last car service was $600 and that was paid entirely by my Airbnb takings,” the 36-year-old community worker said. “I’m going to Ballarat on a four-day trip and the airfares, spending money and care for my animals will also be paid for by the money I’ve made letting out a room.”

However, there has been increase in complaints against Airbnb and other online accommodation platforms across NSW in 2018.

Airbnb has been on Fair Trading shame list for the first time this year, with 10 complaints in both April and October.

Cumberland Council has had five short-term letting complaints this year, after only registering one in 2017. Parramatta Council has recorded three complaints in 2018, compared to five last year.