Greens MLA Rebecca Vassarotti introduced a motion to the Assembly calling on the ACT Government to introduce a portable rental bonds scheme.
The Liberals moved an amendment that added further language around the impact of the Government’s policies on rental investors, and how this affects renters. The amendment replaced the motion's calls for a portable rental bond scheme with calls for the ACT Government to investigate policy options to ease the strain on renters required to hold two rental bonds at once when moving homes, including a portable bond scheme. The amendment also called on the Government to report back to the Assembly within six months with a list of costs, benefits, risks and potential unintended consequences of each option considered.
Labor introduced an amendment to the Liberals’ amendment, which extended the reporting deadline to nine months. This was agreed to unanimously.
Thomas spoke in support of the motion and the amendments. In his remarks, Thomas reflected that the amount of renters in his electorate of Kurrajong far exceeds the Territory and national averages, and that greater support is needed. Thomas also acknowledged that portable rental bond schemes have been established in Victoria and NSW, and that in these jurisdictions a small fee has been introduced for those seeking to use a portable bond in order to recover the costs of administering the scheme, which had been raised as a concern by the Government. Thomas reflected that as a jurisdiction that has often led the nation in tenancy reform, the ACT Government should go further and carefully consider more ways to provide meaningful relief to renters.
The motion, as amended, was supported unanimously.