Greens call for permanent rental solutions for flood victims
The Greens are calling on the NSW government to take urgent action to support people in the long-term who have become homeless due to the catastrophic floods throughout NSW. It's crucial that the NSW Liberal / National government steps in and puts the interests of impacted communities ahead of their cosy relationships with investors. The government's rent relief package will assist people in the short-term, providing funds for temporary accommodation however a longer term solution must be found. It was clear that before this flood event, there was a chronic shortage of rental accommodation in regional NSW. We know that there are many empty or unaffordable properties currently sitting vacant and available on short-term rental sites - these could immediately be made available and affordable to those who are in urgent need of somewhere to live. We are calling on the government to look at options which will ensure that people can access housing at market rents and not holiday rents. We are urging the NSW state government to take responsibility for the housing crisis in flood impacted areas by using their powers to create more medium and long-term rental stock. Options available for the Premier to consider right now would be to: - Either suspend Short-Term Rental Accommodation by disallowing or revoking permissions for property owners to lease properties as short-term rental accommodation, unless in exceptional circumstances, to ensure that people who have nowhere to live have access to every available rental property at reasonable market rates for the next 6-12 months. - Or provide incentives to owners of short-term rental properties who lease their properties at an affordable rate for periods of at least 12 months.People need secure options and stable accommodation - and that’s where the state government could use incentives or changes to planning permissions to make a whole lot of new housing stock available on the medium to long-term rental market. The locals in flood impacted areas know all too well the damage the profit-driven short-term rental accommodation industry has already done to housing affordability in their communities.Now is not the time for anyone to be making big profits from a crisis - and it’s critical the government steps in to ensure this doesn’t happen. The Greens have also set out some other immediate actions the NSW government could implement to provide protection to the many renters who need support including stopping evictions, capping rents, and issuing bond vouchers. Sign our petition calling on the government to take action now.
Media Release - Greens Plan for Rent Relief to be included in Flood Relief
The Greens are calling on the NSW Government to take immediate steps to support renters who are impacted by the catastrophic floods throughout NSW. Greens Member for Ballina, Tamara Smith MP has joined with NSW Greens Housing spokesperson, Jenny Leong MP to call for immediate action to support renters in this crisis and through the recovery period from these devastating floods – including bond vouchers, a freeze on rent increases, and a ban on evictions.
Jenny Leong speaks in support of the petition to protect koala habitat in Port Macquarie
Jenny Leong MP, Member for Newtown spoke in support of a petition signed by 24,970 people who have raised their voices in support of greater protections for koala habitat, and led to the joint purchase by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Koala Conservation Australia of 194 hectares of prime koala habitat in Port Macquarie.
We're hiring! Social Media and Content Producer
We are looking for a digitally savvy, creative and politically engaged person to join our Newtown team to manage our social media and create content. Our small team is passionate, dedicated, experienced and high intensity. We are committed to serving the good people of the Newtown electorate as well as campaigning for significant social and environmental change.
Latest COVID-19 News and Updates
Things continue to move rapidly when it comes to COVID restrictions and supports. We will do our best to keep this page updated with the latest information and links.
The latest on accessibility upgrades at our local stations
After years of advocating alongside locals for station upgrades and improved accessibility at our local train stations, we're excited to see that some major works have taken place! Our Inner West train stations are now well on their way to becoming more accessible, safe, and user-friendly, and better servicing the needs of our community. For local resident Chris, the new lifts and ramps at Petersham station have "opened up my world."
Greens introduce Economic Inequality Bill to NSW Parliament
Greens MP and Housing spokesperson Jenny Leong MP will today introduce a Private MembersBill to the NSW Parliament, to alleviate financial pressures for people who are forced to livebelow the poverty line.“While the NSW Government cannot raise the rate of income support for people living below thepoverty line, there are many things they can do to help lift people out of poverty,” Greens MP andHousing spokesperson Jenny Leong MP said today.
Congratulations to the 2021 Community Building Partnership Grant Recipients
Our office was so pleased to support so many great local organisations in the 2021 round of the Community Building Partnership Grants.
MEDIA RELEASE: Affirmative Consent Law Passes NSW Lower House
In a significant achievement for sexual assault advocates and survivors, affirmative consent laws passed the NSW Lower House last night, paving the way for this to be made law by the end of this week or early next week, Greens Spokesperson for Women, Jenny Leong MP said today.
Jenny Leong MP sponsors petition for Holistic Consent Sex Education
On 21 October Jenny Leong MP presented a petition to reform consent education in NSW Parliament. Sponsored by Jenny Leong MP, the petition won support from MPs from across the political spectrum, demonstrating that it is well and truly time to overhaul sex education. Read the article online.
Op Ed: The kindness of strangers is not an acceptable safety net
The latest op ed. by Jenny Leong MP, NSW Greens spokesperson on Housing and Homelessness. We can’t keep ignoring the failures of government to address issues of poverty, while expecting charitable and community organisations to plug the ever-widening gaps. Read the article online.
Jenny Leong MP co-sponsors the NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill
Jenny Leong is one of twenty-eight MPs from across the NSW Parliament who will support new legislation to legalise voluntary assisted dying, the highest number of co-sponsors to a bill in the history of any Australian parliament. Read the article online.
Jenny Leong calls on the NSW Government to address low vaccination rates in Inner West suburbs
Jenny Leong MP calls out the Government for failing to prioritise First Nations communities and public housing tenants, and asks what they are doing to address low vaccination rates in Chippendale. https://youtu.be/lwqA04OvqqM
Jenny Leong MP's response to the appointment of NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.
Jenny Leong MP on ABC sharing her concerns about the appointment of NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.