The Greens welcome the passing of a bill to protect the rights of long-term residents of caravan parks through the Tasmanian House of Assembly. We’ve been pushing for government action on these much-needed reforms for more than a year and a half and are pleased to have amended the bill to give residents better rights.
Tasmania is the only state without protections for long-stay residents in caravan parks. It’s left residents in the Beauty Point Tourist Parl vulnerable to eviction, with little notice.
Residents have been left in a totally unfair situation, with their home able to be taken from under them at only a moment’s notice. This has been a really hard situation for those living at the park, many of whom are sick and elderly.
It’s why the Greens tabled a 3000-person strong petition last year calling on the Liberals to protect the rights of long-term caravan park residents. When they heard the calls of the Greens and community during the last election and committed to these reforms, we welcomed it.
We’re pleased to have amended the bill to require a bond be held by the Rental Deposit Authority, and to allow residents to appeal rule changes and evictions to TasCAT. These are important changes to give long-stay residents of caravan parks real rights.
The passing through the lower house of these important reforms is a big win for the Greens and community advocates. We encourage our Legislative Council colleagues to pass this legislation and finally give long-term residents of caravan parks the rights they deserve.
