[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Remove W&S Tenant Cost-Shift This Year_T Morris MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

TREASURER MUST REMOVE TENANT RIP-OFF FROM W&S LEGISLATION
 
Before Parliament Rises This Year

Tim Morris MP
Greens Infrastructure Spokesperson

Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today called on Treasurer Michael Aird and the
Bartlett Government to abandon efforts to shift the responsibility for
fixed costs for water and sewerage connections from property owners onto
tenants before Parliament rises at the end of this year, warning that
not to do so would delay fixing this situation possibly until after the
state election next year.

Greens Infrastructure spokesperson Tim Morris MP said that should the
Treasurer fail to amend the legislation this year, then there is every
likelihood that the Parliament will not sit again next year until after
the March state election, and such a delay is untenable.

 "Mr Aird has already been caught out attempting to cost-shift
responsibility for pensioner concessions, and here he is trying the same
thing on tenants. The property owner benefits from the water and
sewerage connection, and it is the property owner who must continue to
pay these service charges," said Mr Morris.

"This serious deficiency in Labor's legislation must be fixed before
Parliament rises at the end of this year, otherwise there will be an
inexcusable delay until after the state election next year, as it is
highly unlikely that Parliament will recommence at the beginning of next
year before the March election."

 "There is nothing wrong with tenants paying for the water that they
actually use, but forcing them to also pay for the connection of water
and sewerage services is unfair, given that they are already paying for
this as part of their rent."

"If the Treasurer and Bartlett Government will not remove this unfair
charge on tenants, the Tasmanian Greens will campaign hard on this issue
at the looming State election."

"There is no way tenants should pay a new bill for a benefit that is
actually accruing to their landlord."

"Treasurer Aird must amend the water and sewerage reform legislation by
the end of this Parliamentary year and remove his ham-fisted attempt to
cost-shift the payment responsibility for water and sewerage connection
accounts onto tenants, or prepare to explain his position to electors
during an election campaign," said Mr Morris. 

Mr Morris also said that it is fair and equitable for tenants to pay a
new charge for water consumption, but that the amount of this charge
must be kept to a minimum, and must not include any charges for benefits
that the tenant is not receiving.  




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