Renters & Housing Union

This week, the media is awash with glowing reports on the federal Labor government’s latest “measures” attempting to “ease pressures during the cost-of-living crisis”. A 10% increase for those receiving rent assistance, while rents claw ahead further, by 11% on average.

These face saving measures – which neither swiftly nor decisively address the issue of safe and accessible housing – come at a point of great embarrassment for Labor Governments across the country. We’ve seen foul and boldfaced attempts at union busting, and more dog whistles about “social cohesion”. All the while, Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese is globe trotting to rub shoulders with his imperial masters, laying out tens of millions to police the Pacific.

Jacinta Allan’s Labor led Victorian Government remains committed to demolishing more than 6,000 public housing units, and the eviction happy landlord, petty tyrant Prime Minister are shining examples of the Australian Labor Party’s housing policy.

Speaking to Sarah Petty from realestate.com.au, The Renters and Housing Union (RAHU) secretary Harry Millward says this policy continued the Labor government’s offering of “crumbs disguised as cakes” to tenants across the nation.

“This amounts to little more than a transfer of money from government to landlords, via our pockets as renters,” Mr Millward said.

“When 86 per cent of parliamentarians own at least one investment property, it’s unsurprising that this is their solution.”

You can download the full statement about recent rent assistance increases on our website here. (pdf 186kb)