As Greens Proposed

www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the Bartlett government’s belated decision to extend the ‘rent holiday’ for Tasmanian pensioners in public housing, which they have been calling for over the last month.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that it is unfortunate that Labor’s motivation does not appear to have been compassion and doing the right thing, but rather the prospect of a looming state election.

“This is a win for Tasmanian pensioners, and that needs to be celebrated, but it is disappointing that the Bartlett government had to dragged to taking this position virtually kicking and screaming,” Mr McKim said.

“The Greens have been pushing for the moratorium on pensioner rent increases to be extended beyond the initial 12 months agreed to, and we are pleased to see the Bartlett government finally cave in and do so.”

“I put the possibility of a three year pensioner rent holiday to the Premier earlier this month as a positive proposal to mark Anti-Poverty week in a meaningful manner, and his dismissive response at the time was very disappointing.”

“So it is quite amazing how a looming election helps focus a government’s mind and forces a compassionate response to be prioritised.”

HANSARD: HOUSING – PUBLIC HOUSING DEBT

Tuesday 13 October 2009 – Part 1

[11.28 a.m.]

Mr McKIM (Question) – My question is to the Premier, and it goes to the request by the Federal Government that State governments provide a three-year moratorium for pensioners living in public housing in relation to rent releases, and also to the $17 million debt that the State owes the Federal Government in relation to public housing. Premier, are you aware of the proposal made by the Greens yesterday that you use these two issues to advantage pensioners – and, indeed, everyone living in public housing in Tasmania – by suggesting to the Prime Minister, who is currently here in Tasmania, that you would be prepared to extend the moratorium to three years on the basis that the Federal Government forgive the $17 million debt? Would this not be a win-win outcome for pensioners and, indeed, for everyone living in public housing in Tasmania, as well as Consolidated Revenue?

Greens’ Work on Pensioner Rent Holiday Proposal Includes:

LABOR DEFEATS FAIRER POWER, W&S CONCESSIONS CALL: And Fails Anti-Poverty Week Challenge,” Greens Leader Nick McKim MP, 14 October

2009, http://mps.tas.greens.org.au/
News/view_MR.php?ActionID=4095

“ANTI-POVERTY WEEK HIGHLIGHTS THE SPIRALLING COSTS OF LIVING UNDER LABOR,” Greens Leader Nick McKim MP, 13th October 2009,

http://mps.tas.greens.org.au/
News/view_MR.php?id=4093
“GREENS’ HOUSING PROPOSAL: WIN FOR PENSIONERS & WIN FOR STATE: Make Anti-Poverty Week Meaningful,” Greens Leader Nick McKim MP, 12 October 2009,

http://mps.tas.greens.org.au/
News/view_MR.php?id=4099

“HOUSING AFFORDABILITY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS,” Cassy O’Connor MP, 15 May 2009,

http://mps.tas.greens.org.au/
News/view_MR.php?id=3727

“AGE PENSIONERS NEED THEIR PAY RISE: Bartlett Govt Must Rule Out Increasing Rental Rate for Pensioners Living in Public Housing,” Cassy O’Connor MP, 14 May 2009,

http://mps.tas.greens.org.au/
News/view_MR.php?id=3708
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader