Public comment sought on use of residential tenancy databases

28/11/03
Use of privately owned electronic databases, which collect information on tenants for use by property managers, is being examined by Western Australia and other State and Federal Governments.
The Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs (MCCA) and the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General have called for comments from interested people, groups and businesses in the community.
Consumer and Employment Protection Minister John Kobelke announced today that a Residential Tenancies Database Issues Paper had been made available to assist anyone who would like to make a submission.
"It's important that we protect the privacy of residential tenants and deal with issues of database accuracy, cost of access and the time names remain listed," Mr Kobelke said.
"Discrimination against some people has been hurtful and unfair, when they have been wrongly included on real estate databases and lost a tenancy opportunity as a result.
"The issues paper will play a vital role in canvassing community views about balance between the privacy and rights of tenants and the legitimate rights of property owners wanting to establish the suitability of the people who might occupy their property."
Mr Kobelke said it would be valuable to hear the views of individuals and organisations in order to promote useful discussion about the role, operation and extent of the use of these databases.
A series of newspaper advertisements would be used to promote the consultation process, so interested parties had opportunities to express their views or concerns.
"It is very important that we hear from those who are affected by, or use, residential tenancy databases to ensure we have a full picture of the issues", the Minister said.
Copies of the issues paper are available from the Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs website http://www.consumer.gov.au or by telephoning (02) 6263 3816.
Submissions must be lodged with the Commonwealth Treasury in Canberra by 2pm (local WA time) Wednesday, December 24.
Details on how to make a submission are contained within the Issues Paper.

Minister's office: 9222 9211