The Greens have demanded national cabinet implement a nationwide rent freeze and moratorium on evictions during the fuel crisis, claiming renters are facing some of the “worst housing insecurity” in living memory.
Greens Leader Senator Larissa Waters said the fuel crisis – sparked by the ongoing Middle East conflict – had “turbocharged” a housing affordability crisis, leaving many grappling with the possibility they would “simply have nowhere to live”.
Senator Waters pointed to a decision made by the Victorian state government during the Covid-19 pandemic, where there was a 12 month freeze on rent increases and a moratorium preventing evictions.
In 2020, former prime minister Scott Morrison announced national cabinet had agreed to a series of principles a series of principles that included a moratorium on evictions, among other measures.
Senator Waters said the government needed to provide “critical security” for renters during the fuel crisis.
“There are queues around the corner for tiny, overpriced apartments in every capital city in the country and outside the city the situation is often even more dire,” she said in a statement on Thursday.
“Many people are facing a really terrifying reality that in the coming months they’ll simply have nowhere to live.”
Greens spokesman for finance, housing and homelessness Senator Barbara Pocock said a rent freeze and ban on evictions would give people the security they needed during the combined fuel and cost of living crisis.
“People are already experiencing financial stress, struggling to make ends meet. This sensible, immediate cost-of-living rent relief will support people with the least secure housing,” she said.
“Too many households are just one rent increase away from eviction or homelessness.
“Rents are rising at record rates forcing people to spend more than 30 per cent of their income just to keep a roof over their heads.”
The party’s call comes as community advocacy group AMPLIFY outlines how the government could solve Australia’s housing crisis with the delivery of one million new homes under a bold reform package.
AMPLIFY released a comprehensive housing plan incorporating the views of more than 18,000 Australians over 18 months in Australia’s largest ever community engagement on housing.
The findings suggest Australians back stronger reforms, with concern over the scale of the crisis running high — 67 per cent believe the housing shortage should be treated as a national emergency.
Ten of the key reforms to address the housing crisis were backed by respondents and included a whole system reform, changes to tax settings, planning rules and a stronger housing safety net.
AMPLIFY Chief Executive Officer Georgina Harrison said when people were given the evidence, they backed reform that was far bolder than the current political conversation.
“There’s a perception housing reform is politically impossible, but our research shows the public is ready for decisive action,” she said.
“They understand there is no single fix and that tinkering at the edges won’t solve the crisis.”
