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The Prime Minister has foreshadowed a mandatory coronavirus industry code of practice would be imposed on commercial and retail tenants, but not until National Cabinet can reach an agreement on the conditions.
Key points:
- National Cabinet is working with industry groups on a tenancy code of practice
- The Prime Minister expects to release the code within days
- He wants tenants and landlords to negotiate in good faith in the meantime
Scott Morrison said he had hoped to release the details of the code following today's National Cabinet meeting, which includes him, the premiers and chief ministers.
But he said the code was "not where it needs to be" to provide enough security for landlords.
"What we are seeking to have happen is for the industry to complete their code and that code would be made a mandatory code incorporated into state and territory legislation, where appropriate," Mr Morrison said.
"It will be mandatory for tenancies, that is the tenant and the landlord, where they have a turnover of less than $50 million, and they are a participant in the JobKeeper program."
The Prime Minister has also committed to releasing modelling on how the virus is developing in the community next week.
Churches and other places of worship will be considered as workplaces in the lead-up to Easter, to allow more people to work there to prepare for religious services.
The changes do not overturn the ban on such venues opening to the public.
Landlord and tenant mediation
Mr Morrison said he wanted landlords and tenants to negotiate in good faith, in the hope they could reach an agreement.
If they are unable to do so, the new code of practice would dictate that both parties would enter mediation.
But Mr Morrison said rent relief would only be available for coronavirus-affected businesses.
"If you're just a tenant who hasn't had a reduction in their business turnover, then your leasing arrangements stand," the Prime Minister said.
"You should be still paying your rent to the landlord."
State governments are leading the approach to residential rents in National Cabinet.
Mr Morrison said while renters were protected from eviction during the pandemic, rent still needed to be paid.
"There was a moratorium on evictions. That doesn't mean there is a moratorium on rents," he said.
"It means people are responsible for their rents but there is a moratorium on evictions."
Your questions on coronavirus answered:
Topics: government-and-politics, infectious-diseases-other, federal-government, health, respiratory-diseases, covid-19, community-and-society, australia
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