Some interesting claims data for landlords and homeowners on the causes of lithium-ion battery fires.

At the top of the Allianz claims list are power and garden tools (38% of fires) followed by devices with battery cells, like flashlights and torches (31%), mobile phones (12%), e-scooters and e-bikes (11%) and remote-control toys and hobby devices such as drones and kids’ ride-on cars (8%).

Key causes of fires were leaving them plugged in after the batteries were replenished and charging devices with cords and chargers meant for different devices.

One issue raised in the report is that tools are often charged in garages where there are no smoke detectors. "They are just left to charge for not just days, but months. Garages will often have additional fuel lying around like junk or petrol for the mower and it can set alight easily.”

There is currently no requirement in Queensland to add smoke detectors in garages.

Dangerous recharging practices have been the catalyst for a growing number of Aussie house fires

Meanwhile, the Queensland Government has launched an inquiry into e-mobility safety and use in Queensland. This includes "issues associated with e-mobility ownership, such as risk of fire, storage and disposal of lithium batteries."

Submissions are due by 20 June 2025.

Following the NSW approach requiring battery-powered devices to meet a set of internationally accepted product standards, including appropriate tests and certification is hopefully the way forward.

Inquiry into e-mobility safety and use in Queensland

Rent controls

At the 2024 Queensland State Election, the Greens' most outspoken advocate for rent controls, Amy MacMahon, was defeated.

The Federal election on 3 May 2025 saw both the Greens' Federal leader, Adam Bandt, and Queensland Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather, who consistently advocated for rent controls, become electoral roadkill, losing their seats to the ALP.

With a number of Greens MPs still in the Senate (and one in the Lower House), continued advocacy for rent controls remains unclear. However, the main proponents of this policy, particularly Mr Chandler-Mather, are no longer in Parliament.

In June 2024, the Qld Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works stated that it believed forms of rent control are generally ineffective.

The Report (on page 20) states:

"the department noted that economic research has identified that rent price controls, such as restricting or limiting the amount rent can be increased by, are generally ineffective at improving rental affordability and can have other negative effects, such as reducing the quality of rental stock and reducing renter mobility. They noted that the best way to address rental affordability is by increasing housing supply..."

Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works Report

May 2025

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