AIRBNB – WOULD THEY LIE TO US?
In 2015 Airbnb’s Sam McDonagh appeared before a Federal Senate Inquiry into Tax Avoidance. When asked why Airbnb had closed numerous international offices, leaving its Ireland-based operation handling financial transactions from Australia and elsewhere, McDonagh replied that Ireland had “great talent”. Our Federal Senators replied: “Come on! And the corporate tax rate in Ireland had nothing to do with it?” A transcript of the proceedings gives clear indication of the level
CONTEMPT OF PARLIAMENT…AND SO?
Last Wednesday the Parliament of Western Australia heard testimony by Airbnb’s Brent Thomas and Sam McDonagh, plus Expedia’s Eacham Curry speaking for Stayz/HomeAway. Parliamentary Committee Chair Jessica Shaw MLA advised: “It’s important that you understand that any deliberate misleading of this Committee may be regarded as a ‘Contempt of Parliament’.” As to the veracity of the contents of Eacham Curry’s statements, one looks to the Facebook comments of the Stayz Owners Uni
TOWERS OF CONFLICT - SHORT-TERM RENTALS
According to a report in yesterday’s Daily Telegraph, Randwick Council is considering bypassing Federal Legislation and setting aside Residential Zoning to permit homes to operate as non-accredited hotels and serviced apartments for 90-nights per year. This small Council area has already lost 3,493 homes to Airbnb. Together with neighbouring Waverley (5,696 Airbnb rentals), they are approaching the City of Sydney’s 9,820 homes lost Airbnb to date. Assuming landlords comply
LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING? THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL MOB CONTROLS IT
Under oath, before the Victorian Parliament, Michelle Chaing, US-based Public Policy Representative for Expedia/HomeAway/Stayz advised: “We have tons of terms and conditions that (clients) should most likely be reading through...” Truth be told, for someone who was flown from the US to attend Parliament and represent an Organisation worth US$10 billion+ in revenue, Ms Chaing’s testimony was fairly incoherent. Ms Chaing confirmed she had visited NSW Local Council representati
NSW: PROPOSED NEW PLANNING RULES FOR SHORT-TERM STAYS IN SOME AREAS
Councillors at Byron Shire were “given 45 minutes notice” this morning that Planning Minister Anthony Roberts and Ben Franklin MLC were to make an announcement at Council Offices on Short-Term Holiday Letting. At the time of writing: Nothing as yet has appeared on the Department of Planning or Minister Roberts' websites, Here is the National’s Ben Franklin MLC outside Byron Council Chambers, Following is a statement from Ben Franklin MLC (taken from a photo of crumpled sheet
