The Rockliff government needs to get on with the job of changing the law to give renters the right to keep pets.
The Liberals promised that legislation to give people the right to have pets in rentals would be a top election policy priority and their First 100 Days Plan captures the actions they promised to take. However, it’s clear they are not meeting their own expectations and they’re dragging their feet on this much needed reform. We’re concerned it could be on the chopping block.
The Liberals’ First 100 Days Plan says that after being sworn in they would “begin immediate consultation” on legislation to allow renters to have a pet as a right. We have seen no sign this has occurred and fear behind-closed-doors conversations with landlord lobby groups are taking precedence.
The government has committed to introducing this important legislation within their first 100 days. The tabling of a Bill in the upcoming fortnight of parliament must happen to meet the deadline. Given there’s been no public consultation and no announcement, it seems very unlikely we will see legislation tabled any time soon.
The Liberals’ inaction on pets in rentals begs the obvious question – has Eric Abetz already scuttled this key policy, like he suggested he would do on election night?
Renters know that that more needs to be done to protect their rights, including rent controls, an end to no cause evictions and minimum standards for energy efficiency. But allowing pets is a good first start, provided it actually happens.
The legislation to allow pets in rentals is simple, and there’s no good reason why the government can’t act straight away. For the sake of renters and their much-loved companions, we hope this election promise won’t be abandoned to placate Eric Abetz and his deeply conservative allies.
