Federal government rescues Queensland tenants services

The Federal Housing Minister, Brendan O'Connor, has announced today that the Australian Government will provide emergency funding to Queensland's Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services, which were due to close after their funding was cut by the Queensland State Government.

(Minister O'Connor)

The emergency funding will keep the services operating pending changes to that 'ensure that Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Services funding is a condition of any future Commonwealth/State agreements.'

The Tenants' Union of NSW applauds the Federal Government on its decision: it's recognised the essential services provided by TAASs and acted to ensure that they remain available to tenants.

And it's recognised that TAAS funding from the interest earned on tenants' bonds is tenants' money – not State Government revenue.

Congratulations to the Minister and the Federal Government – and to our colleagues at the Tenants' Union of Queensland and the Queensland TAASs.