KIA ORA TO “THE BARONESS OF STRATHFIELD” - THE NEWLY ELECTED NSW OPPOSITION LEADER

We have a new Sate Opposition Leader, Jodi McKay MP, who, in this video clip, is referred to by her parliamentary colleagues as The Baroness of Strathfield. The Baroness has her Airbnb – Kia Ora Lookout Retreat - promoted by the State Government’s tourism branch plus some 75 other booking platforms.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s $5 million short-term rental is still doing well and receiving publicity from local media fans.

The failure of the NSW State Government’s official arm, Destination NSW, along with numerous State MPs, to disclose their direct connections with Airbnb, Expedia/Stayz and others during a Parliamentary Inquiry and review into the Adequacy of regulation of short-term holiday letting in NSW speaks volumes to those who were denied permission to address the Parliament and had their written submissions marked by MPs as confidential.

And while small Bed & Breakfast and other accredited accommodation providers face insolvency in increasing numbers, unauthorised, non-accredited operators rob us of housing and list 500 homes on Airbnb, running these as illegal hotels and serviced apartments. All the while the proprietary rights of neighbouring residential property owners and the rights of licensed accommodation providers are ignored.

In an echo of Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s pledge, Jodi McKay has promised to put the spotlight on homelessness as NSW Labor leader while caring for the people of NSW.

With two of our three most senior State MPs up to their necks in Airbnb profits, what hope of consideration and care for our rights; when please will we see litigation against illegal Airbnb-type operations here in NSW?

Homes not Hotels Communities not Transit Zones

People before Profits Neighbours not Strangers