FREMANTLE Prison’s $3 million conservation works and funds to keep the traffic bridge and police station projects moving are the main take-aways for Freo from the Cook government’s latest state budget, which is hoping tenancy reforms will resonate in an electorate grappling with a tight rental market.
Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk said her office had already begun receiving calls from landlords and tenants trying to understand the ban on no-grounds evictions announced last week.
Under the reforms, fixed-term leases would automatically roll over unless landlords had a valid reason to end them.
“There are carve-outs that are genuine reasons for not extending a lease, such as the owners moving in themselves or making it available for a relative,” Ms McGurk said.
“More people are renting and for longer, and they are feeling uncertainty in the current market.”
Ms McGurk said it wouldn’t create a free-for-all for renters and landlords still had rights.
• Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk flanked by premier Roger Cook and Treasurer Rita Safiotti
“People need to meet the terms of their tenancy, so they have to pay their rent and they can’t damage the property.”
The reforms would also prevent landlords from forcing tenants to pay rent through apps that impose additional fees.
The state government is also injecting another $13.5 million into its rent relief program for struggling households.
Ms McGurk said the support could make the difference between stability and homelessness.
She recounted speaking with a worker at Uniting Care about a woman who had recently left a relationship and was struggling to cover her rent.
With rent relief, the woman had been able to stay housed and eventually return to work.
Housing measures in the budget also include a $2 billion partnership with the federal government to accelerate affordable rental construction and a $297 million package for first-home buyers, including stamp duty relief.
“This year’s state Budget will deliver for Fremantle families with the third round of WA Student Assistance Payments for families with school aged kids,” Ms McGurk said.
“This is on top of free public transport for Fremantle students travelling to and from school.
“For the first time a new $100 Fuel Support Payment will be available for Western Australians with a valid driver’s license and will help with cost-of-living pressures being felt in our community.
The budget additionally includes more than $40 million for the arts and creative industries statewide, including support for major arts organisations and Fringe World.
by STEVE GRANT