Qld real estate lobby calls for probe into ‘onslaught’ of tenancy law changes

The news

Queensland’s real estate lobby has called for a proposed productivity commission to hold an inquiry into what it has described as an “onslaught of legislative change” to tenancy laws since 2020.

The Real Estate Institute of Queensland made the call – largely dismissed by the housing minister – in a submission to the parliamentary committee looking into a bill to set up the promised new body.

“The REIQ would like to see an inquiry into … the social and economic impacts of the Palaszczuk and Miles governments’ reforms to [tenancy laws],” acting chief executive Katrina Beavon wrote.

Housing Minister Sam O’Connor told Brisbane Times the productivity commission’s priority would be a building industry review.Credit: Glenn Hunt

Why it matters

The comments follow a series of rental reforms by the previous Labor government, which the real estate sector lobby group often publicly opposed.

Then-opposition leader David Crisafulli, now premier, described Labor’s most recent tranche of changes this year as evidence the party was “at war with landlords”.

But so far, the LNP has not revealed any planned changes to tenancy laws, which renter advocates have criticised for not going far enough to help tenants.

The government has promised that once established, the commission’s first job will be to review the state’s building sector.

What they said

Reiterating her comments at a public committee hearing into the bill on Tuesday, Beavon also called for an inquiry into the impact of policy (and tax) settings on housing supply and homeownership.

“The housing sector has endured an onslaught of legislative change since 2020,” her submission to the governance, energy and finance committee said.

“In our view, this has led to a reduction in productivity in the rental housing sector, amplifying the negative impacts of the housing crisis in Queensland.”

Another perspective

In a statement to Brisbane Times, Housing Minister Sam O’Connor said the productivity commission’s priority would be the building industry review.

He added that “the last thing Queensland’s property sector needs is the uncertainty caused by rushed changes to tenancy laws”.

“We will monitor the impact of the [former government’s tenancy law] changes closely, working with stakeholders across the sector to ensure we strike the right balance on any that require further work by government.”

Three elements of the former government’s last suite of tenancy changes (standardised lease applications, a portable bond scheme, and a code of conduct for the sector) are yet to be enacted.

“We are continuing to consult on this and will implement a code of conduct if it is determined that it will have tangible benefits,” O’Connor said.

At an earlier press conference, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie claimed that if Labor “hadn’t gone to war with landlords … we wouldn’t be in the housing crisis”.

“I think you’ll find this government will take more of an approach of collaboration with landlords and tenants … rather than going to war with one side or the other,” Bleijie said.

Tenants Queensland, in a recent statement welcoming the Crisafulli government’s October election win, noted that the government’s focus on housing supply and homeownership left mostly “trickle down” help for renters.

What’s next

Several other submissions about the government’s “re-established” productivity commission raised concerns about its independence, including some first highlighted by this masthead last month.

Developer and building sector groups fearful of possible CFMEU retribution also called for greater protections for firms and witnesses appearing before the looming inquiry.

Labor MPs on the committee asked Treasury officials to probe still-unreleased modelling related to the LNP’s productivity push. They also questioned how commission members would be appointed.

A spokesperson for Treasurer David Janetzki confirmed to Brisbane Times last week that the roles, including that of the productivity commissioner, would be appointed “through the same meritorious process” of other state boards.

The committee’s report on the bill, including any recommended changes, is due by January 31. Parliament will resume on February 13.

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