Government decision due by end of week: Act now to stop COVID19 evictions

Last Friday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that states and territories were working on measures to protect renters from eviction for at least the next six months. This is a really positive step.

No announcement has been made about protections for renters at either of the National Cabinet meetings so far, but we believe they will be considering these and making a public announcement following the next meeting on Friday evening (27 March). We understand Victoria is currently tasked with developing a model for this, so we need you to get in touch today with the Victorian Premier to make sure they get it right.

Can you send an email to Victorian Premier Dan Andrews?

To stop evictions during the health crisis we need to ensure the measures:

  • Stop all evictions during the health crisis, not just for rental arrears.

  • Cover all renters, including social housing, boarders and lodgers.

  • Deter unlawful threats of evictions.

  • Implement health and safety measures for renters in shared accommodation, including boarders and lodgers.

  • Consider how we prevent an unmanageable debt crisis caused by rent arrears

Please send a quick email to Premier Andrews asking for appropriate legislation.

The states and territories will be discussing this at National Cabinet by the end of the week, so we’re asking you to cc in all Premiers and Chief Ministers so they know your concerns.

We know many of you are probably supporting people in your lives who’ve been affected by the coronavirus. Emailing Premier Andrews is another valuable way to make an important difference for renters across Australia.

If you've already sent an email can you call your State Housing Minister right now to tell them protecting our communities requires we stop evictions during this health crisis, and strong measures are needed.

  • In Victoria? You can call Marlene Kairouz MP on (03) 8685 1555  (Or you can call her electorate office at (03) 8361 7133)
  • In NSW? You can call Kevin Anderson MP on (02) 8574 5550 – and please let us know if you got through to his office. (You can also try his electorate office at (02) 6766 1422.)
  • In Western Australia? You can call Peter Tinley MLA on (08) 6552-5300
  • In Queensland? You can call Mick de Brenni on (07) 3719 7270 – and please let us know if you got through to his office. (You can also try his electorate office at (07) 3414 2110.)
  • In South Australia?  You can call Vickie Chapman MP on (08) 8207 1723 – and please let us know if you got through to her office.
  • In Tasmania? You can call Elise Archer MP on (03) 6165 7730
  • In ACT? You can call Gordon Ramsay MP on (02) 6205 2615
  • In the NT? You can call Natasha Fyles MP on (08) 8936 5610

Thank you,

Joel from Better Renting on behalf of the 'NoEvictionsCOVID19' community coalition.