Mr BAYLEY question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
During the election campaign, the Liberal and Labor parties committed to reforms to allow pets in rentals. The JLN responded to tenancy advocates stating that it will be a strong voice for tenants in parliament. Due to advocacy of vested interests, it seems that all three of these parties are willing to abandon commitments to the Tasmanian people and delay action. In Homelessness Week, that has the theme ‘Homelessness Action Now’, we have only one order of business listed –
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – Members, I am trying to hear the question, please.
Mr BAYLEY – We have only one order of business listed for today and are likely to adjourn very early. We could debate these reforms today. What new consultations are you going to initiate and exactly when will you bring on debate of the Tenancy Reform Bill? Will you do it at the first opportunity and commit to doing it before the Budget?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the member for his question. There are very good reasons why we presented that policy commitment about pets in rentals. Our government recognises the significant benefits of pet ownership in increasing social wellbeing, improvements in physical and mental health, companionship, reduction in feelings of loneliness and isolation, an improved ability to cope with challenging situations and a reduction in stress levels. That is what pets bring to the household.
Dr Woodruff – You have known this for such a long time.
The SPEAKER – Leader of the Greens, we are 30 seconds in. I draw the Premier to the question.
Mr ROCKLIFF – We made our statements very clear. I have had correspondence in the last couple of days, as I believe all members have, from a range of stakeholders who would advocate for the very benefits I outlined. We also had some significant feedback from the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania –
Dr Woodruff – Yes, vested interests.
Mr ROCKLIFF – No, I would not –
The SPEAKER – It is not a conversation between the Premier and the Leader of the Greens. The Deputy Leader of the Greens asked the question and the Premier will address it.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I do not like the terminology that was in the question and I do not like your terminology either. They are important stakeholders in this discussion. I have met with the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania in recent weeks and agreed to further discuss some of their challenges. I made it very clear we are committed to the pets in rentals policy and that will not change, but where we can support property owners in a fair way, as well as renters in a fair way as well –
Mr Ellis – That is right, getting the balance right.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Getting that balance right – thank you, Mr Ellis. That is exactly what we will achieve by good, sensible roundtable discussions. I know the Greens love consultation, when it suits them.
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – Leader of the Greens and members on my right on the backbench, particularly Mr Shelton and Mr Fairs.
Dr Woodruff – It has been consulted to the end of the Earth and back. We have had so much consultation.
The SPEAKER – Leader of the Greens, you will be the second person warned.
Mr ROCKLIFF – You win the gold medal for consultation when it suits you. In other circumstances you do not want any consultation because it does not suit you. We will consult. I am happy to consult with the entities, the social enterprises and those that advocate for vulnerable Tasmanians, who wrote to me the other day. I am happy to engage with them and the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania in a very sensible and measured way to deliver what I hope is nation-leading policy and legislation in this very important area, remaining steadfast in our commitment.
The SPEAKER – Premier, it might be easier if you do not turn and speak to the Leader of the Greens and you address your answers through the Chair. We might avoid the interjections that we just had then. I assume I am hearing a supplementary question?
Supplementary Question
Mr BAYLEY – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary.
Mr BAYLEY – I heard the Premier say he had met with stakeholders and had agreed to discuss further. The question was what are those new consultations? The real question is when will you bring the bill into this House for debate and will you commit to doing that before the Budget?
The SPEAKER – You may not like the answer on the consultations, but the Premier addressed that. The timing of the bill is part of the substantive question, so I draw the Premier to that.
Mr ROCKLIFF – We are committed to seeing this policy commitment through for very good reasons. We will have the consultations first, whether that be roundtable discussions with industry and also further discussions with advocates for tenants and renters, et cetera, and then we will work that through to ensure we bring legislation for debate into the parliament at the earliest possible opportunity. I am not going to commit now to exactly before the Budget. I would like to be open-minded about the necessary consultation, but I want to commit today that we will see this through.
