Member for Warren-Blackwood Terry Redman has called on the State Government to prioritise the registration process for short-stay accommodation providers as the local tourism industry strives to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 restrictions.
Mr Redman was a member of the Parliamentary committee that undertook an inquiry into the short-stay accommodation sector, focusing on online booking processes.
The report Levelling the Playing Field was tabled in Parliament last September with the official response from State Government provided in February 2020.
The Government supported nine of the 10 recommendations, with the Department of Planning tasked with developing the implementation process.
Mr Redman said he had sought Minister Saffioti’s support in asking the Department to fast-track the recommendations, in particular the statewide registration scheme for accommodation providers.
“The registration scheme will go a long way towards ensuring compliance with established regulations and ensure adherence to customer safety standards,” Mr Redman said.
“The tourism industry, and more specifically accommodation providers, have been hit hard as a result of COVID-19-related restrictions.
“The last thing they need once the travel restrictions are lifted is to miss out on patronage due to unregistered providers, who operate outside regulations, offering up their holiday homes.
“We need to support those who have invested in the accommodation sector and ensure they are not disadvantaged, just because they play by the rule book.
“I look forward to the recommendations being implemented so there is a level playing field in the short-stay accommodation sector.”
