Tom Elliott takes aim at Greens policy that ‘just beggars belief’

Tom Elliott has taken aim at a Greens policy which he says “just beggars belief”.

In the final sitting week for the Victorian Parliament before the State Budget is handed down, the Greens are calling on the government to introduce a rent cap limiting rent increases to 2.5 per cent.

Tom Elliott, who is filling in as host of Neil Mitchell’s Mornings program, says the policy is “economic muddle-headed thinking”.

“The Greens want to cap rent increases at just 2.5 per cent. Right now inflation is running at five per cent,” he said.

“What are you supposed to do if you’re a landlord?

“It just means that landlords don’t actually want to rent their properties out because they can’t charge what the market will bear.”

Press PLAY below to hear Tom’s view on the policy

CEO of the Victorian Council of Social Services, Emma King, says she’s “not sure that a formal cap is the answer”, but high rent prices are a problem.

“Rents have tripled since 1995,” she told Tom Elliott.

“I think what we’re seeing here is more people are renting, more people are renting longer, and more people are in rental stress — so they’re spending more than 30 per cent of any income they’re getting in on their rent.”

Press PLAY below to hear the Victorian Council of Social Services’ view on the rent cap idea