Friday 1 May, 2020
After almost a month of waiting, Queensland’s property industry is still without any COVID-19 commercial leasing regulations.
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander is warning the uncertainty from Labor’s ongoing delays to regulating commercial lease arrangements could cost jobs and lead to businesses closing their doors for good.
According to the Property Council, around 695,000 Queenslanders rely on the state’s property industry for work.
“Every day that Labor delays the commercial leasing regulations puts Queensland jobs at risk,” Mr Mander said.
“Labor’s inaction on commercial tenancies is leaving both small business tenants and property owners financially vulnerable.
“Like we saw with the cancelled State Budget, it’s clear Labor doesn’t have an economic plan.
“Now more than ever, the property industry and commercial tenants need clarity and certainty.”
Shadow LNP Attorney General David Janetzki said it should have been a straightforward exercise for the Palaszczuk Labor Government to introduce commercial regulations, as other states have done.
“Other states have been able to implement the regulations, yet the Palaszczuk Labor Government is lagging behind,” Mr Janetzki said.
“Businesses shouldn’t be forced to wait any longer for these regulations, because they set the framework for negotiations between parties.
“These commercial leasing regulations are needed immediately to provide certainty to all parties during this coronavirus pandemic, to help stop a health crisis becoming an economic crisis.
“Labor’s inaction is holding Queensland back and putting our property industry at risk.”
