The WA government is abolishing letting fees to ease the burden on tenants entering the rental market. The Minister accuses the opposition of hypocrisy, citing their past actions on the same issue.

AnsweredQoN 53Legislative Assembly
Asked
19 March 2007
Portfolio
Consumer Protection

QuestionView source ↗

RENTAL TENANTS
Can the minister advise the house what measures the state government is implementing to ease the burden on tenants entering the rental market? Ms S.M. McHALE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for Swan Hills for her question and for the advocating she has done on behalf of low-income tenants in her electorate. On 5 March the government announced that, effective from 5 April, letting fees would be abolished. Dr G.G. Jacobs interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Ms S.M. McHALE : As members know, rents are at an all time high and many tenants in many of our electorates are struggling. Dr G.G. Jacobs interjected. The SPEAKER : Clearly, the member for Roe thinks that he can interject on any question, even though he has not asked a question. The member for Roe will stop interjecting. I call the member for Roe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : It is necessary to put on record the history of this issue, because that will show members that ANY accusations of gross hypocrisy can be laid at the feet of the member for Vasse and at the feet of the opposition. It is important that members who are new to this place are made aware of the history of this issue. The member for Vasse is leaving the chamber because he is aware of the gross hypocrisy on his part. In 1995 the then Liberal government passed legislation abolishing letting fees. At the same time, it deregulated real estate agents’ fees for property management, which led to fee increases and increased revenue for agents. There was a lead-in time of 12 months. The member for Vasse may not be aware of this matter, but his colleagues are aware of it, because they were part of the cabinet that decided to abolish letting fees. The Liberal government capitulated to the real estate industry in an extraordinary and unprecedented move, and one that members of the then Labor opposition argued was illegal. That move was to de-proclaim a piece of legislation. It was unprecedented for a government to de-proclaim a piece of legislation because it was being threatened with a campaign in more marginal seats. We are resolute about this. This move will ease the burden for tenants entering the market. We could enforce this measure immediately and remove just one of the burdens in a very high and overheated market to relieve the economic burden of many tenants. We are proud of this. The member for Vasse should understand the gross hypocrisy of his comments. His government abolished letting fees. It is on the record; it is a matter of fact. The opposition capitulated; we will not.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for Swan Hills for her question and for the advocating she has done on behalf of low-income tenants in her electorate. On 5 March the government announced that, effective from 5 April, letting fees would be abolished. Dr G.G. Jacobs interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Ms S.M. McHALE : As members know, rents are at an all time high and many tenants in many of our electorates are struggling. Dr G.G. Jacobs interjected. The SPEAKER : Clearly, the member for Roe thinks that he can interject on any question, even though he has not asked a question. The member for Roe will stop interjecting. I call the member for Roe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : It is necessary to put on record the history of this issue, because that will show members that ANY accusations of gross hypocrisy can be laid at the feet of the member for Vasse and at the feet of the opposition. It is important that members who are new to this place are made aware of the history of this issue. The member for Vasse is leaving the chamber because he is aware of the gross hypocrisy on his part. In 1995 the then Liberal government passed legislation abolishing letting fees. At the same time, it deregulated real estate agents’ fees for property management, which led to fee increases and increased revenue for agents. There was a lead-in time of 12 months. The member for Vasse may not be aware of this matter, but his colleagues are aware of it, because they were part of the cabinet that decided to abolish letting fees. The Liberal government capitulated to the real estate industry in an extraordinary and unprecedented move, and one that members of the then Labor opposition argued was illegal. That move was to de-proclaim a piece of legislation. It was unprecedented for a government to de-proclaim a piece of legislation because it was being threatened with a campaign in more marginal seats. We are resolute about this. This move will ease the burden for tenants entering the market. We could enforce this measure immediately and remove just one of the burdens in a very high and overheated market to relieve the economic burden of many tenants. We are proud of this. The member for Vasse should understand the gross hypocrisy of his comments. His government abolished letting fees. It is on the record; it is a matter of fact. The opposition capitulated; we will not.
I thank the member for Swan Hills for her question and for the advocating she has done on behalf of low-income tenants in her electorate. On 5 March the government announced that, effective from 5 April, letting fees would be abolished. Dr G.G. Jacobs interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Ms S.M. McHALE : As members know, rents are at an all time high and many tenants in many of our electorates are struggling. Dr G.G. Jacobs interjected. The SPEAKER : Clearly, the member for Roe thinks that he can interject on any question, even though he has not asked a question. The member for Roe will stop interjecting. I call the member for Roe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : It is necessary to put on record the history of this issue, because that will show members that ANY accusations of gross hypocrisy can be laid at the feet of the member for Vasse and at the feet of the opposition. It is important that members who are new to this place are made aware of the history of this issue. The member for Vasse is leaving the chamber because he is aware of the gross hypocrisy on his part. In 1995 the then Liberal government passed legislation abolishing letting fees. At the same time, it deregulated real estate agents’ fees for property management, which led to fee increases and increased revenue for agents. There was a lead-in time of 12 months. The member for Vasse may not be aware of this matter, but his colleagues are aware of it, because they were part of the cabinet that decided to abolish letting fees. The Liberal government capitulated to the real estate industry in an extraordinary and unprecedented move, and one that members of the then Labor opposition argued was illegal. That move was to de-proclaim a piece of legislation. It was unprecedented for a government to de-proclaim a piece of legislation because it was being threatened with a campaign in more marginal seats. We are resolute about this. This move will ease the burden for tenants entering the market. We could enforce this measure immediately and remove just one of the burdens in a very high and overheated market to relieve the economic burden of many tenants. We are proud of this. The member for Vasse should understand the gross hypocrisy of his comments. His government abolished letting fees. It is on the record; it is a matter of fact. The opposition capitulated; we will not.
On 5 March the government announced that, effective from 5 April, letting fees would be abolished. Dr G.G. Jacobs interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Ms S.M. McHALE : As members know, rents are at an all time high and many tenants in many of our electorates are struggling. Dr G.G. Jacobs interjected. The SPEAKER : Clearly, the member for Roe thinks that he can interject on any question, even though he has not asked a question. The member for Roe will stop interjecting. I call the member for Roe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : It is necessary to put on record the history of this issue, because that will show members that ANY accusations of gross hypocrisy can be laid at the feet of the member for Vasse and at the feet of the opposition. It is important that members who are new to this place are made aware of the history of this issue. The member for Vasse is leaving the chamber because he is aware of the gross hypocrisy on his part. In 1995 the then Liberal government passed legislation abolishing letting fees. At the same time, it deregulated real estate agents’ fees for property management, which led to fee increases and increased revenue for agents. There was a lead-in time of 12 months. The member for Vasse may not be aware of this matter, but his colleagues are aware of it, because they were part of the cabinet that decided to abolish letting fees. The Liberal government capitulated to the real estate industry in an extraordinary and unprecedented move, and one that members of the then Labor opposition argued was illegal. That move was to de-proclaim a piece of legislation. It was unprecedented for a government to de-proclaim a piece of legislation because it was being threatened with a campaign in more marginal seats. We are resolute about this. This move will ease the burden for tenants entering the market. We could enforce this measure immediately and remove just one of the burdens in a very high and overheated market to relieve the economic burden of many tenants. We are proud of this. The member for Vasse should understand the gross hypocrisy of his comments. His government abolished letting fees. It is on the record; it is a matter of fact. The opposition capitulated; we will not.
Dr G.G. Jacobs interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Ms S.M. McHALE : As members know, rents are at an all time high and many tenants in many of our electorates are struggling. Dr G.G. Jacobs interjected. The SPEAKER : Clearly, the member for Roe thinks that he can interject on any question, even though he has not asked a question. The member for Roe will stop interjecting. I call the member for Roe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : It is necessary to put on record the history of this issue, because that will show members that ANY accusations of gross hypocrisy can be laid at the feet of the member for Vasse and at the feet of the opposition. It is important that members who are new to this place are made aware of the history of this issue. The member for Vasse is leaving the chamber because he is aware of the gross hypocrisy on his part. In 1995 the then Liberal government passed legislation abolishing letting fees. At the same time, it deregulated real estate agents’ fees for property management, which led to fee increases and increased revenue for agents. There was a lead-in time of 12 months. The member for Vasse may not be aware of this matter, but his colleagues are aware of it, because they were part of the cabinet that decided to abolish letting fees. The Liberal government capitulated to the real estate industry in an extraordinary and unprecedented move, and one that members of the then Labor opposition argued was illegal. That move was to de-proclaim a piece of legislation. It was unprecedented for a government to de-proclaim a piece of legislation because it was being threatened with a campaign in more marginal seats. We are resolute about this. This move will ease the burden for tenants entering the market. We could enforce this measure immediately and remove just one of the burdens in a very high and overheated market to relieve the economic burden of many tenants. We are proud of this. The member for Vasse should understand the gross hypocrisy of his comments. His government abolished letting fees. It is on the record; it is a matter of fact. The opposition capitulated; we will not.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Roe! Ms S.M. McHALE : As members know, rents are at an all time high and many tenants in many of our electorates are struggling. Dr G.G. Jacobs interjected. The SPEAKER : Clearly, the member for Roe thinks that he can interject on any question, even though he has not asked a question. The member for Roe will stop interjecting. I call the member for Roe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : It is necessary to put on record the history of this issue, because that will show members that ANY accusations of gross hypocrisy can be laid at the feet of the member for Vasse and at the feet of the opposition. It is important that members who are new to this place are made aware of the history of this issue. The member for Vasse is leaving the chamber because he is aware of the gross hypocrisy on his part. In 1995 the then Liberal government passed legislation abolishing letting fees. At the same time, it deregulated real estate agents’ fees for property management, which led to fee increases and increased revenue for agents. There was a lead-in time of 12 months. The member for Vasse may not be aware of this matter, but his colleagues are aware of it, because they were part of the cabinet that decided to abolish letting fees. The Liberal government capitulated to the real estate industry in an extraordinary and unprecedented move, and one that members of the then Labor opposition argued was illegal. That move was to de-proclaim a piece of legislation. It was unprecedented for a government to de-proclaim a piece of legislation because it was being threatened with a campaign in more marginal seats. We are resolute about this. This move will ease the burden for tenants entering the market. We could enforce this measure immediately and remove just one of the burdens in a very high and overheated market to relieve the economic burden of many tenants. We are proud of this. The member for Vasse should understand the gross hypocrisy of his comments. His government abolished letting fees. It is on the record; it is a matter of fact. The opposition capitulated; we will not.
Ms S.M. McHALE : As members know, rents are at an all time high and many tenants in many of our electorates are struggling. Dr G.G. Jacobs interjected. The SPEAKER : Clearly, the member for Roe thinks that he can interject on any question, even though he has not asked a question. The member for Roe will stop interjecting. I call the member for Roe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : It is necessary to put on record the history of this issue, because that will show members that ANY accusations of gross hypocrisy can be laid at the feet of the member for Vasse and at the feet of the opposition. It is important that members who are new to this place are made aware of the history of this issue. The member for Vasse is leaving the chamber because he is aware of the gross hypocrisy on his part. In 1995 the then Liberal government passed legislation abolishing letting fees. At the same time, it deregulated real estate agents’ fees for property management, which led to fee increases and increased revenue for agents. There was a lead-in time of 12 months. The member for Vasse may not be aware of this matter, but his colleagues are aware of it, because they were part of the cabinet that decided to abolish letting fees. The Liberal government capitulated to the real estate industry in an extraordinary and unprecedented move, and one that members of the then Labor opposition argued was illegal. That move was to de-proclaim a piece of legislation. It was unprecedented for a government to de-proclaim a piece of legislation because it was being threatened with a campaign in more marginal seats. We are resolute about this. This move will ease the burden for tenants entering the market. We could enforce this measure immediately and remove just one of the burdens in a very high and overheated market to relieve the economic burden of many tenants. We are proud of this. The member for Vasse should understand the gross hypocrisy of his comments. His government abolished letting fees. It is on the record; it is a matter of fact. The opposition capitulated; we will not.
Dr G.G. Jacobs interjected. The SPEAKER : Clearly, the member for Roe thinks that he can interject on any question, even though he has not asked a question. The member for Roe will stop interjecting. I call the member for Roe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : It is necessary to put on record the history of this issue, because that will show members that ANY accusations of gross hypocrisy can be laid at the feet of the member for Vasse and at the feet of the opposition. It is important that members who are new to this place are made aware of the history of this issue. The member for Vasse is leaving the chamber because he is aware of the gross hypocrisy on his part. In 1995 the then Liberal government passed legislation abolishing letting fees. At the same time, it deregulated real estate agents’ fees for property management, which led to fee increases and increased revenue for agents. There was a lead-in time of 12 months. The member for Vasse may not be aware of this matter, but his colleagues are aware of it, because they were part of the cabinet that decided to abolish letting fees. The Liberal government capitulated to the real estate industry in an extraordinary and unprecedented move, and one that members of the then Labor opposition argued was illegal. That move was to de-proclaim a piece of legislation. It was unprecedented for a government to de-proclaim a piece of legislation because it was being threatened with a campaign in more marginal seats. We are resolute about this. This move will ease the burden for tenants entering the market. We could enforce this measure immediately and remove just one of the burdens in a very high and overheated market to relieve the economic burden of many tenants. We are proud of this. The member for Vasse should understand the gross hypocrisy of his comments. His government abolished letting fees. It is on the record; it is a matter of fact. The opposition capitulated; we will not.
The SPEAKER : Clearly, the member for Roe thinks that he can interject on any question, even though he has not asked a question. The member for Roe will stop interjecting. I call the member for Roe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : It is necessary to put on record the history of this issue, because that will show members that ANY accusations of gross hypocrisy can be laid at the feet of the member for Vasse and at the feet of the opposition. It is important that members who are new to this place are made aware of the history of this issue. The member for Vasse is leaving the chamber because he is aware of the gross hypocrisy on his part. In 1995 the then Liberal government passed legislation abolishing letting fees. At the same time, it deregulated real estate agents’ fees for property management, which led to fee increases and increased revenue for agents. There was a lead-in time of 12 months. The member for Vasse may not be aware of this matter, but his colleagues are aware of it, because they were part of the cabinet that decided to abolish letting fees. The Liberal government capitulated to the real estate industry in an extraordinary and unprecedented move, and one that members of the then Labor opposition argued was illegal. That move was to de-proclaim a piece of legislation. It was unprecedented for a government to de-proclaim a piece of legislation because it was being threatened with a campaign in more marginal seats. We are resolute about this. This move will ease the burden for tenants entering the market. We could enforce this measure immediately and remove just one of the burdens in a very high and overheated market to relieve the economic burden of many tenants. We are proud of this. The member for Vasse should understand the gross hypocrisy of his comments. His government abolished letting fees. It is on the record; it is a matter of fact. The opposition capitulated; we will not.
Ms S.M. McHALE : It is necessary to put on record the history of this issue, because that will show members that ANY accusations of gross hypocrisy can be laid at the feet of the member for Vasse and at the feet of the opposition. It is important that members who are new to this place are made aware of the history of this issue. The member for Vasse is leaving the chamber because he is aware of the gross hypocrisy on his part. In 1995 the then Liberal government passed legislation abolishing letting fees. At the same time, it deregulated real estate agents’ fees for property management, which led to fee increases and increased revenue for agents. There was a lead-in time of 12 months. The member for Vasse may not be aware of this matter, but his colleagues are aware of it, because they were part of the cabinet that decided to abolish letting fees. The Liberal government capitulated to the real estate industry in an extraordinary and unprecedented move, and one that members of the then Labor opposition argued was illegal. That move was to de-proclaim a piece of legislation. It was unprecedented for a government to de-proclaim a piece of legislation because it was being threatened with a campaign in more marginal seats. We are resolute about this. This move will ease the burden for tenants entering the market. We could enforce this measure immediately and remove just one of the burdens in a very high and overheated market to relieve the economic burden of many tenants. We are proud of this. The member for Vasse should understand the gross hypocrisy of his comments. His government abolished letting fees. It is on the record; it is a matter of fact. The opposition capitulated; we will not.

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