Plan to save Aussie renters billions
Renters could have saved billions over the past 12 months if a rent freeze was adopted a year ago, according to fresh new data.
The research from the Parliamentary Library, commissioned by the Greens, was released on Wednesday as the minor party ups the pressure of the government ahead of next week’s national cabinet meeting.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to use the meeting with state leaders in Brisbane to negotiate new commitments on housing and planning reforms to boost supply and a plan for renters rights.
“Our key priority for this meeting is increasing housing supply and affordability across Australia,” he said ahead of the meeting.
The research from the Parliamentary Library, compiled using census and consumer price index data, found the average saving per occupied dwelling was $1427 in 2022-23 and $2261 in 2023-2024.
It suggests two million renting households could have saved $3.1bn in 2022-23 and $4.9bn in 2023-24.
Talks between Labor and the minor party on the fund resumed last week but neither side is willing to budge, with the Prime Minister insisting action on rent was out of his control.
Acting Greens leader, Mehreen Faruqi, argued it was “absolutely” within Mr Albanese’s remit.
“(The) Prime Minister has previously co-ordinated with the national cabinet, with states and territories, on energy prices,” she told ABC’s News Breakfast.
“The Prime Minister was boasting just a couple of days ago that he could get the states to sign on to a new public holiday.
“The Prime Minister absolutely has the power and the jurisdiction to be able to co-ordinate states and territories to then element rent freezes and rent caps.”
Mr Albanese is holding firm on the Greens demands to intervene in the rental market in return for the minor party’s support for his signature housing policy.
The impasse has stalled the Housing Australia Future Fund, which would spend minimum $500m a year to build 30,000 social and affordable homes over five years, in the senate.
Liberal and Nationals MP reconfirmed on Tuesday they will oppose the Bill, which was reintroduced to parliament last week, when it comes up for a vote in October.
Meanwhile, the Greens have argued the $10bn fund doesn’t go far enough.
The Greens wants the government to spend upwards of $2.5bn a year to address the social housing shortfall and demanded the Prime Minister co-ordinate a nationwide freeze on rents, or caps, with the states.