Kim O’KEEFFE (Shepparton) (12:14): Today I rise to make a contribution on the Residential Tenancies and Funerals Amendment Bill 2024. The bill is for an act to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 in relation to Part 4A parks and to amend the Funerals Act 2006 in relation to funeral goods and services price lists, coffin price lists – providing more transparency – and for other purposes. I acknowledge the many contributions in the house today, particularly that of the member for Morwell, who finished on an interesting note by sharing his own funeral parlour experiences in his former plumbing role, which was quite interesting. Many of the members in the chamber have contributed some interesting experiences.
The bill includes reforms that ensure that Victorians have the appropriate information when making critical decisions about their housing arrangements and when making funeral arrangements following the passing of a loved one. Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 residential parks are regulated under part 4A of the act and are commonly marketed as a lower cost or alternative accommodation option. Most of the time people living in residential parks move into a small house or unit and they then rent the land from the owner, who are often land lease companies. With the existing pressures on the Victorian housing market, limited housing availability and affordability and substantial increases in rent, more and more Victorians are seeking alternatives and are turning to the more affordable options of residential parks and other options.
During the current housing crisis there has been a substantial growth in the land lease industry, which is expected to double in the next five years. This pressure presents new risks, as the market is not well regulated and there are few protections for residents who lease land. I note this bill will amend part 4A of the Residential Tenancies Act to require a site agreement to be in a prescribed standard form, prescribe specific methods for calculating rent increases and strengthen precontract disclosure requirements. It is hoped that these reforms will improve clarity and transparency for consumers entering residential park contracts, provide better support for residents to make informed choices and respond to concerns raised by residents and their advocates, as well as strengthen consumer protections and clarify rights and obligations.
It is critical that we move towards better processes to access housing and to ensure that protections and guidelines are in place and that there are no surprises. When disputes present themselves it can be very stressful for both parties. Vulnerable tenants can be extremely disadvantaged when they do not have the resources, knowledge and, often, financial capacity to defend themselves. Lifestyle villages have become increasingly popular for retirees or those wanting to downsize. I have heard there have been some issues and disputes within those residences, so hopefully this bill will address residents’ issues and have a clearer process in place. As pointed out previously, people are having to look for more affordable housing alternatives, so it is no surprise that this bill is before the house and there is a need for reform.
Caravan parks are also becoming popular for both short-term and long-term occupancy. Regional Victoria has lots of visitors and tourists, and caravan parks play a significant role in filling some of the accommodation needs. There is need to have better conditions and transparency and confidence and stability in the market. During this housing crisis is a good time to – and we should – do more and make it easier for someone to downsize, as this creates more available housing in the market.
The increased land tax has had a significant detrimental impact on the housing market and has led to increased rent and less rental properties and landlords selling up as they cannot bear the financial impact. The state budget has failed to address housing, and with rising cost-of-living pressures, it is any wonder that residential park tenancy is becoming a more affordable option.
We are going backwards fast in my electorate when it comes to housing, and those reaching out for housing support have significantly increased. We actually have one of the highest rates of homelessness in the state. This government is not meeting its housing targets, and the numbers of homeless people will continue to increase.
My electorate has many residential parks that people call home. In recent months my office has been providing assistance to many residents from these residential parks who are eligible for the 2023–24 energy bill relief program for eligible embedded network households. It has been really interesting and great to actually hear of their experiences living in residential parks, but some of their demands and needs are not being met.
While Queensland and Western Australian residents have been receiving the first quarter grants of the 2024–25 Commonwealth government electricity rebates since 1 July this year, which will total $300 per household over the full year, Victorians continue to wait. So on the one hand we talk about improvement and support, and on the other hand, when there is financial incentive, Victorians are forced to wait, when they need assistance right now. The financial distress that many Victorians are facing is unacceptable, and it is due to this government’s financial mismanagement. Regional Victoria is a beautiful place to live, and our residential park tenants are proud of their homes. They have a sense of belonging and a place to call home, they are part of a residential community, but like with many Victorians, I hear time and time again of their financial struggles.
Another act the Residential Tenancies and Funerals Amendment Bill 2024 amends is the Funerals Act 2006, which aims to strengthen transparency with funeral providers. In particular the bill inserts a new section into the act, section 23A, which provides for the display of funeral goods and services price lists and coffin price lists on their internet sites and at business premises. A funeral provider must display the provider’s funeral goods and services prices and coffin prices either on the provider’s website or in a prominent position at the provider’s business premises. Failure to do so will result in 60 penalty units, which in today’s terms is close to $11,000.
Victorians should be supported when making a decision when they are grieving a loved one and are at their most vulnerable.
It is important that there are protections and penalties in place for those who seek to break the law or fail to comply with our laws, and we must ensure best practice. The cost of a funeral can be stressful for a family, and having clear access to costs online will alleviate the pressures of making decisions when you front up at a funeral parlour with no idea of what the costs will be. Many of us have been through this experience, and it is confronting, as family members are bereaved and not in a good state of mind. Most operators are doing the right thing and are genuine and care for the people that they support. It is difficult having to make financial decisions at that time. The funeral industry are supportive of these changes.
Like many of us in this place, we have gone through this experience. I can recall how hard it was for my family when we lost my dad due to quite tragic circumstances. It was a shock, and when you are dealing with such an incredibly sad time and all of the family members are grieving in their own way, it is hard to try and work through the funeral arrangements and make sensible decisions or decisions that are appropriate to all. I think, when I look back to that time and also when my mum passed away, it would have been so much more helpful to have had access to some of the costs prior to visiting the funeral parlour.
In my electorate recently it was revealed that prices at the Shepparton Public Cemetery will be increasing significantly, and this will have a severe impact on families in our community, particularly those already facing financial hardship. For example, burying a child in the Shepparton Public Cemetery now costs $3391, up from $565. That is a 500 per cent increase. In addition, Muslim burials have increased from $1450 to $3779, a 160 per cent increase. As you can imagine, exorbitant fees have been a shock and are unfair, placing undue additional financial stress on grieving families. The cost of a funeral is already extremely high; many families are already struggling with the rising cost of living, and these increased burial costs are unacceptable. It is unacceptable that these changes were implemented without any consultation or consideration.
Losing a loved one is an incredibly difficult time for any family. We should be looking at ways to support and assist families, not adding extra financial burdens at a time when they can least afford it. It is actually astonishing to think that this government would stoop this low by increasing burial fees – yet another financial impact on Victorians when they can least afford it.
Finally, we do not oppose this bill. Hopefully the changes in this bill will make for a better and fairer system.