Ms KELLIE SLOANE (Vaucluse) (11:06): My question is directed to the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading. Property Investment Professionals of Australia chair Cate Bakos has said that Federal Labor's investment tax changes will decimate rental supply and see rents increase by 10 per cent. Meanwhile, NSW Labor's freeze on land tax rates is also pushing up costs and rents. What specific action will the Minister take to support young people facing Labor's rent increases?
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields—Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Minister for Building, and Minister for Corrections) (11:06): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. This Government is always proud to talk about rental reform. The way to do rental reform and help renters in New South Wales is to do one of two things. First, make rentals available. The planning Minister has done great work through our planning reform, putting tens of thousands of dwellings up for building. In terms of rental reform, one just has to compare the pair, as they say in the ad. In 12 years, did the former Government ban no‑grounds evictions?
Government members: No!
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: Did it limit rental increases to once per year?
Government members: No!
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: Did it ban background checks for renters, who paid for their own background checks?
Government members: No!
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: The limit is clear. The former Government did nothing for renters in 12 years. However, in just over three years, the Minns Labor Government has continued to work on behalf of renters in New South Wales. Our Smart Rental Bonds are in train. We are doing great testing on that reform, which will really reduce the cost for renters as they move from property to property.
The SPEAKER: There is too much audible conversation in the Chamber.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: Our rental reform record is nation‑leading. Our enforcement of the laws is really working. We are using data and innovation. Only this morning—
Ms Kellie Sloane: Point of order—
The SPEAKER: The Clerk will stop the clock. The Leader of the Opposition rises on a point of order.
Ms Kellie Sloane: It is taken under Standing Order 129, direct relevance. The question is specific to the rent increases happening under Federal and State Labor.
The SPEAKER: I draw that to the attention of the Minister. To this point, the Minister has been directly relevant.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: The question is about what the Government is doing for renters. That is exactly what I am talking about. I will continue.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Coffs Harbour to order for the first time.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: Only this morning the NSW Rental Taskforce, with $8.4 million and dozens of inspectors and investigators, has nabbed agencies doing the wrong thing. It uses data and innovation to really examine property listings to ensure that they abide by the rules.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Myall Lakes to order for the first time.
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG: One agency that relisted a property without an exclusion period was nabbed. It was caught doing the wrong thing and received a $35,000 fine. What that says, and what the Government wants to send a clear message about, is that everyone must play by the rules. The rental reforms are about making renting better. They are about making renting fairer. They are going to enforce the rules to make sure that they work for the people of New South Wales. Because, as housing becomes a challenge, more and more people are renting and they are renting for longer. That is why our reforms are about creating transparency and accountability.
We are investing in the rental taskforce. The new rental commissioner is doing a great job. We are implementing reforms every day. Because renting now is not just for young people moving out of university and getting a couple of mates together; it is impacting on every type of household across the State. Whether it is a young family or an older Australian, renting is now a choice that many people are making. That is why our rental reforms are about looking forward, supporting renters, creating better rules and better support, and making sure that those laws are in force. We will continue to do that. In contrast, we saw indifference from those opposite. If they were so concerned about renters, they would have done something in the 12 years they were in government. The fact that their record is a blank sheet of paper says it all about how much they care about renters, because the answer to that is not at all.
