18th Jun 2020, 12:00 PM – Senate Motions - Covid-19 - Housing and renters' rights

The majority voted against a motion introduced by NSW Senator Mehreen Faruqi (Greens), which means it failed.

Motion text

That the Senate:

(a) notes that:

(i) the COVID-19 crisis has further exposed existing inequalities in our broken housing system,

(ii) renters across Australia face eviction as COVID-19 related eviction bans come to an end across states and territories, and

(iii) as the economic crisis continues, more people are at risk of homelessness than ever before;

(b) calls on the Government to:

(i) increase funding for emergency housing,

(ii) invest in building more public and community housing which will create construction jobs and apprenticeships, and provide homes for people,

(iii) direct lenders to implement mortgage relief, where needed, with no interest accrual, a ban on foreclosures and a freeze on owners' credit ratings,

(iv) permanently increase income support, and

(v) implement a national plan to end homelessness; and

(c) calls on the National Cabinet to:

(i) implement waivers for rent arrears, with relief for those with rental debts, and

(ii) agree on a national standard of renters' rights and rental laws to protect people from unfair evictions.