I speak on behalf of renters, who deserve the same security, dignity and stability in their housing as any home owner. For too long renters have been treated as second-class citizens in our housing system, vulnerable to sudden evictions, unpredictable rent hikes and opaque leasing practices. Today I am proud to say that, under the Minns Labor Government, we are turning the tide. On 19 May new rental laws came into effect delivering the most significant improvements to renters' rights in more than a decade. Those reforms are not just legal changes; they represent a lifeline for families, young people and essential workers who have been struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

Those critical changes end no-grounds evictions, ensuring renters can no longer be removed from their homes without a valid reason. They cap rent increases to once per year, providing predictability for household budgets. They make it easier for renters to keep pets, because the Government recognises that pets are part of the family. They ban secret rent bidding, promoting transparency and fairness in the rental market. They introduce fee-free methods to pay rent, reducing unnecessary financial burdens. They prohibit fees for background checks and eliminate hidden costs in the rental application process. They also introduce portable rental bonds, which allow renters to transfer from one property to another while easing the cost of moving homes.

Those are practical changes that will ease the pressure on renters and restore a basic sense of fairness to the rental market. They could not be more urgent for my part of the inner west. Nearly half of the people in my electorate rent their homes. These are families raising kids. They are older Australians ageing in their homes. They are students trying to stay close to the places they learn and work. They are frontline workers who are critical for delivering services for our community every day. These people are increasingly being pushed out. Housing affordability has become the number one issue for so many people in my community. I hear from parents who fear that their adult children will not be able to afford to live anywhere near where they grew up.

I speak to teachers, ambos, nurses and hospitality workers who simply cannot afford to live near their places of work. They cannot live near our schools or hospitals for the jobs we need them to do. It is not just young people starting out. Across Australia, people are renting for longer—not just for a few years longer, but for decades longer. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that around 31per cent of households now rent. The proportion of renters has been increasing across all age groups. This shift is driven by rising house prices, insecure work and the lack of affordable housing. It is changing the face of our cities and suburbs. It demands a fundamental rethink of how we treat renters in our housing system.

These reforms are about levelling the playing field. They are about fairness and accountability. They are about giving people who rent the stability they need to build a life, raise a family and grow old in their communities. The Government recognises that renters deserve better. That is why we have dedicated $8.4 million to establish the Rental Taskforce. It will ensure that we are investigating serious breaches of rental law and that the rules, including the new rules, are enforced. These reforms were built through listening. We have really listened to the voices of renters across the State. We know that reforming rental law is only part of the solution, and we also need more affordable homes overall.

The Government is investing $5 billion to build 8,400 new social and affordable homes. It is unlocking surplus government land to help construct the homes we need. These are homes designed for the people who need them most, including children and women fleeing domestic violence, essential workers and low-income families that have been locked out of the housing market for too long. The message from my community is clear: Renting is no longer a stepping stone. Our housing system must reflect that this is a long-term reality for nearly a third of all households in New South Wales. A home is more than a roof and four walls. I am deeply proud to be part of a Government that understands this and that works every day to make rent more fair, secure and sustainable. There is more to do, but this is a strong foundation towards a fairer and more inclusive housing future.