‘Out of control’: Greens demand NSW government ‘hit pause’ on skyrocketing rental prices
One state government has been accused of taking the side of “big investors and developers” and playing the “blame game” by refusing to back calls for a rent freeze.
Key Greens MPs have demanded a freeze on rental prices across NSW, labelling the increases as “out of control” while accusing the government of taking the side of “investors and developers”.
NSW Greens MP Jenny Leong said a bill, which calls for a cap on the current residential rates as of June 30, would safeguard against pre-emptive rent increases and arbitrary evictions.
The bill is due to be introduced to parliament on Thursday.
Ms Leong the freeze would help provide some financial relief to Aussies struggling in the “grips of an unprecedented rental crisis”.
“Instead of playing the blame game when it comes to the housing crisis, the NSW Government could act now to freeze rents,” she said.
“Every day they fail to act is another day that renters will be forced to choose between a rent hike they can’t afford or eviction.
“The Greens are clear, we want to put a stop on the profits big investors are reaping from the housing crisis and pass laws to make renting secure and affordable.”
Ms Leong has urged NSW Labor to back the Greens Rent Freeze Bill, accusing those who oppose it as standing on the “side of big investors and developers”.
It follows federal Greens MPs resisting support for Labor’s $10bn housing fund after the party’s calls for rent freezes and increase caps were rejected by both NSW and Queensland’s governments.
NSW Premier Chris Minns defended his government’s decision to reject the rental pause, stating it would cause property owners to “immediately increase” rents.
According to SQM Research, rental prices in Sydney have increased 21.4 per cent over the past 12 months, the most of any capital city across the country.
Vacancy rates in the city are currently hovering around 1.5 per cent.
A senate inquiry secured by the Greens will investigate the affordability, supply and availability of rental housing, and will come ahead of a planned national cabinet meeting on renters’ rights later in the year.
The federal government has insisted rental controls are within the remit of state and territory governments.
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