UPDATE: over 5000 Save Carriageworks petition signatures delivered to the Premier
Thank you to the 5014 people who have signed the Greens' petition to save Carriageworks. Yesterday Jamie Parker MP, Cate Faehrmann MP and I presented our petition to the Premier, calling on her to: Scrap the Powerhouse Museum relocation Guarantee funding to keep Carriageworks alive Implement a rescue package for struggling artists and creatives We are still collecting signatures so make sure to sign and SHARE the petition here 👉 https://www.jennyleong.org/save_carriageworks
Jenny Leong MP calls for investment in Housing and the Public Sector in the wake of COVID-19
Jenny Leong MP, Greens Member for Newtown has called on the Government to focus on investment in public, social and affordable housing to address homelessness and create jobs in the wake of COVID-19.
WIN! Public Service pay cut blocked in the Parliament
BREAKING: The Government's controversial pay freeze (pay cut) for public servants has been blocked after The Greens, opposition and cross bench blocked it in the NSW Upper House.
Action to save unburnt native forests in NSW
It has been devastating to see the NSW Government give the green light to log precious remaining patches of unburnt forest.
Information and Support for Businesses
This directory has been established to assist local business owners in accessing all available supports, grants and advice during this time.
Important Update for Renters and Tenants - COVID19
[UPDATE May 14, 2020] Legislation Passed Supporting Renters The NSW Parliament passed the Covid-19 Emergency Legislation Amendment (Emergency Measures) Bill 2020 No 2 yesterday which included amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 to be in force during the emergency period - a big step forward from where the government stood just a few weeks ago regarding protections for renters. The amendments gave renters two important wins: 1) renters may be able to break their leases with reduced penalties by applying through the Tribunal under certain circumstances: if the landlord has refused to negotiate rent relief, or refused to negotiate in good faith or, if a tenant and a landlord are unable to come to an agreement on a fair and affordable rent reduction. 2) renters and households who are Covid-19 impacted (by losing more than 25% of their incomes or the household's income), will be able to receive reduced rents via a compensation fund that will support landlords who can show hardship and who pass on rent reductions to tenants. The Greens put up a series of amendments which would have given renters more significant support at this time in key areas: giving the Tribunal the power to impose reduced rents and to prioritize renters' applications as urgent rent relief for renters and landlords in financial hardship restricting the ability of landlords to evict tenants on no grounds stopping retaliatory evictions break lease option without any financial penalty maintenance records available on request to renters allowance of pets to give tenants more flexibility when seeking a home Jenny provided a wrap up of what happened on Facebook live after the legislation passed which you can watch here. To find the details about these changes and other measures and how they can help in your specific circumstances, go to the Department of Fair Trading site or check out the information on the Tenants Union site. We will continue to work for a better deal for renters especially during this pandemic when the right to an affordable, livable home is more crucial than ever.
Community Recognition for the Newtown Blessing Box
Jenny Leong MP spoke to Parliament to acknowledge those that started the Newtown Blessing Box and also thank those that have been donating goods.
Where's the support for the arts and creative industries?
Jenny Leong MP, Greens member for Newtown calls the the government to step in and provide much needed support for the arts and creative industries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amendment to end No Grounds Evictions
During the debate of emergency measures introduced to deal with COVID-19 in NSW, Greens Member for Newtown Jenny Leong MP, moved an amendment to ban No Grounds Evictions in NSW.
Amendment to ban Retaliatory Evictions
During debate on emergency measures during COVID-19, Greens Member for Newtown Jenny Leong MP moved an amendment to ban retaliatory evictions during the pandemic.
Op Ed: Migrant Workers Deserve State Support
Here’s my opinion piece from Monday's Sydney Morning Herald. Let’s be done with arbitrary distinctions about who is entitled to certain wages or conditions, healthcare, housing or access to services based on the colour of someone’s passport or the status of their visa.All people are born free and equal in dignity and rights - and no laws or government policies should ever undermine this.
Federal Greens talk housing
Greens Leader Adam Bandt and Senator Mehreen Faruqi discuss the housing crisis, and the looming debt crisis if tenants are forced to repay 6 months rent after the shut down is over.
Fashion Revolution Week
I know we are in the middle of a pandemic and things are really intense, but it’s also Fashion Revolution Week. So to try to break up the endless virus content, we have let Tommie Mag take over our instagram.
Grants Available
New grants have been announced to help arts organisations, businesses and organisations survive the COVID-19 shut down. The City of Sydney has grants of up to $20,000 to help creative industries and the NSW Government has announced grants for socially isolated seniors to remain connected.
Newtown's Blessing Box
Our community has certainly come together during this pandemic. Newtown's beautiful Blessing Box is just one example of locals stepping up for each other. Well done to Maureen, Michelle and Joy for setting it up - such a lovely idea.
