Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL (Coogee) (14:54:18): I will make a brief contribution to this important debate. I have significant concerns as to the process in which this legislation is being passed and the lack of oversight, analysis and critique that is able to be placed on these important bills in the oldest Parliament of Australia. People across the State of New South Wales from all backgrounds have been hugely impacted by the COVID‑19 health crisis and the unprecedented economic crisis it has created. People are worried about meeting even the most basic of needs, trying to work out how they will keep food on their table or a roof over their heads. Forty‑eight per cent of my constituents in the electorate of Coogee rent their homes. Hundreds of these people have reached out to my office for support as they struggle to keep their properties while also meeting ongoing bills and the need to put food on the table during this crisis.

All of these people are completely unsupported by the legislation the Government has brought before the House today. For every tenant unable to pay their rent, there is likely to be a landlord unable to pay their mortgage. Hundreds of landlords have also reached out to my office for support. These are just average people, mum and dad investors who are dependent on their rent to support their mortgage payments, their family and their retirement. The New South Wales Government announced a moratorium on evictions for tenants financially impacted by COVID-19 and a land tax relief package for landlords. However, it is clear that this legislation does not go nearly far enough to support people who have lost their livelihoods through no fault of their own. To date, the Government's approach to renters and landlords has been tokenistic, to say the least.

The waiving of land tax helps only 16 per cent of the wealthiest landlords. The vast majority of landlords have been left behind by this Government. What is remarkable about this legislation that has been put forward today is what is missing, that is, a comprehensive support for rental tenancies. While I welcome any and all assistance for tenants and landlords in my electorate, this legislation needs significant amendments in order to provide the relief so badly needed by tenants and landlords. The Opposition has four amendments to the Government's bill that it is forced to put forward in the other place. They are a $140 million rental hardship package, which will provide rental top-ups to landlords; a moratorium on lease break fees for tenants; the ability for tenants to apply directly to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal for rent reduction, with a fair and reasonable reduction to be determined independently by a tribunal; and a prohibition on claiming unpaid rent from bonds during the moratorium period for households to ensure tenants have cash to pay for a bond in a new property if they need to.

None of these amendments is radical. They are sensible and overdue and other States are already providing similar hardship packages for residential tenants and landlords. I note that these amendments must be moved in the other place as part of a condition of a return to parliamentary sitting, which again is truly unprecedented and undermines the essential role of Parliament within Australia. Keeping a roof over people's heads should be the number one priority for everyone in this place during this pandemic. I stand here today on behalf of my electorate, for the renters and the landlords, to ensure that they do not lose everything at this time. These are unprecedented times.

The measures prepared by the Opposition are aimed at helping the millions affected by this catastrophe: people who are unable to pay their rent because they have lost their job; landlords who have been affected by the catastrophic hit to the rental market; and the millions of people who have to date been left behind by this Government. These are difficult times. We say on behalf of our communities that the amendments being put forward are about helping landlords relying on rental income to pay their bills and helping those tenants who have lost income and are struggling to pay their bills. I ask the Government to make these amendments and bring help to those in need.