On Tuesday 1 August, I asked the Premier in estimates if they would move to stop out of control rent increases.

You can read my speech below, or find the full transcript and video link in the official Queensland Parliament Record of Proceedings (Hansard). 

Amy:

My question is to the Premier. Premier, given that rents in Brisbane have gone up by at least 10 per cent since the Housing Summit in October last year, will your government support a rent freeze followed by a rent cap to give housing security to tens of thousands of Queensland renters?

Premier:

 As we know, housing is a big issue nationally and the best thing that the Greens could do is actually support the federal government’s package which would release thousands
of homes for Queensland.*

*Federal Labor's Housing Australia Future Fund Bill guarantees no spending on housing and no new housing. Instead, Labor's Bill relies on returns from a stock market fund to subsidise developers. The Greens are refusing to pass the HAFF until it gaurantees spending on public housing and protect renters from unlimited rent increases. The Greens already secured an immediate $2 billion in direct investment in housing in their negotiations. 

I find it completely ironic and hypocritical for members of the Greens party—

Amy:

Point of order, Chair.

Premier:

—to be raising housing issues—

Chair:

Sorry, Premier—

Premier:

—when they do not support—

Chair:

—but there is a point of order.

Premier:

—more housing in Queensland.

Chair:

Sorry. Premier, order!

Amy:

My question was about the Premier’s support for a rent freeze followed by a rent cap. I do not see how her response is responding to the question.

Chair:

I know what your question was. I believe the point the Premier was making was that the
release of extra housing would put downward pressure on rents which would—

Amy:

But my question was not about supply.

Chair:

 Order! Sorry?

Amy: 

My question was not about supply; it was about a rent cap.

Chair:

No, I understand that. With respect, I do not wish to argue with you; I am making the ruling. My understanding is that the Premier was talking about supply putting downward pressure on rents and your question was about the upward pressure on rents. The Premier’s answer is relevant.

Premier: 

In April we passed laws to limit the frequency of rent increases to once a year from once every six months to have a fairer go for renters and on 14 July we released a discussion paper to consult on whether further changes are needed to ensure the law achieves its intent. Minister Scanlon has been briefing us on that matter and, unfortunately, there were some loopholes and we need to fix that. You are talking about supply. We need more supply. The best thing the Greens and the LNP can do at the federal parliament level is to vote for the passage of the legislation that allows more supply. It is a very simple proposition, so I find it completely hypocritical when people come in here talking about housing yet they are holding up a big investment in housing.

Read the Greens plan for an Empty Homes Levy to boost supply, and our party policy to build public housing, not subsidise developers

Amy:

Will the Premier be taking the question on notice?

Premier: 

I answered it.

Amy:

I did not get an answer.

Premier:

You did.