Last week the Legislative Council passed the government’s short term letting bill, which provides for a Code of Practice to deal with party houses and allows owners’ corporations to opt out of permitting commercial short term letting in their building. The house approved my amendment to enable the Code of Practice to also include a mandatory registration system for hosts but the government has not committed to this much needed reform that would ensure compliance and provide oversight. The bill is expected to receive assent and become law by the end of the year.

The bill excludes the government’s 180-day limit that will determine whether a home let out on a short term basis complies with its residential zone – this will be enacted through a planning instrument. I’ve asked questions in Parliament about what consultation will occur to develop the instrument, what enforcement powers it will include and when it will be released.

The government short term letting package fails to prevent short term letting from reducing affordable rental stock and from taking over neighbourhoods and buildings in areas of high tourist demand. I will continue to advocate for a better response.