According to The Brisbane Times, The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) has formally requested the proposed productivity commission to investigate what they describe as an “onslaught of legislative change” since 2020.
REIQ’s acting chief executive Katrina Beavon said she had serious concerns about the reforms’ impact on the rental sector.
“The housing sector has endured an onslaught of legislative change since 2020,” Ms Beavon said.
“In our view, this has led to a reduction in productivity in the rental housing sector, amplifying the negative impacts of the housing crisis in Queensland.”
Housing Minister Sam O’Connor has indicated that the commission’s immediate focus will be elsewhere, particularly on the building industry.
“The last thing Queensland’s property sector needs is the uncertainty caused by rushed changes to tenancy laws,” Mr O’Connor said.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie suggested a shift in approach to housing policy, emphasising collaboration over confrontation.
“I think you’ll find this government will take more of an approach of collaboration with landlords and tenants rather than going to war with one side or the other,” Mr Bleijie said.
Several key reforms from the previous government, including standardised lease applications, a portable bond scheme, and a sector code of conduct, remain unimplemented.
The government has committed to monitoring the impact of existing changes while working with stakeholders to maintain balance in the sector.
Tenants Queensland has said that the current government’s focus on housing supply and homeownership provides limited direct assistance to renters.
“We will monitor the impact of the changes closely, working with stakeholders across the sector to ensure we strike the right balance on any that require further work by government,” Mr O’Connor said.
