Queensland citizens draw to the attention of the House the need for the Manufactured Home Residential Parks Act to be amended, as Market Rent Reviews in the Act enables possible unscrupulous price fixing in the market sector by valuers and park owners. Removal of market rent reviews will also alleviate unwarranted pressure on the QCAT grievance processes.

The Regulatory Services Unit processes and authority require immediate overhauling to allow infringement notices and prosecution powers to be enhanced outside of QCAT to enforce breaches of the Act by park owners, closing all corporate loopholes, thereby enforcing accountability orders or removal of operators licences to conduct business in Queensland.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to immediately ensure -

(i) The Act be amended to rigorously enforce residents rights to enhanced protections from any form of financial abuse by park owners.

(ii) Market rent reviews are removed from the Act and replaced with CPI increases only for Act Equitability.

(iii) That all Act amendments made September 2019 providing power imbalance in favour of park owners must be removed entirely.

(iv) COVID-19 Regulations 2020 be amended, rolled back retrospectively, refunds applied, stopping all rental increases from 19th March 2020, matching the Ministers Parliamentary speech, no tiered approach as regulated.  

(v) That dedicated Act experienced QCAT members be appointed to enforce orders and adjudicate matters under the Act.

(vi) The establishment of an independent Ombudsman for oversight of the Act.

(vii) That Caxton Lawyers be fully funded to legally represent residents at QCAT Hearings.