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

The content of this publication is intended to provide a general overview on matters which may be of interest. It is not intended to be comprehensive. It does not constitute advice in relation to particular circumstances nor does it constitute the provision of legal services, legal advice or financial product advice.

Rent controls, National Renters Protection Authority and negative gearing changes.

In the lead up to the 2024 Qld State election, Ch 9 News is reporting that the Qld Government is considering ACT style inflation-linked rent controls.

Sounds like a pre-election thought bubble. Any move towards greater rent controls in Qld runs contrary to the position of the Government's own Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works

In May 2024, the Department stated that it believed forms of rent control are generally ineffective.

The ALP risks losing several seats to The Greens at the October election so it is not surprising that they may make election promises that seek to limit voter bleed to The Greens.

Meanwhile, The Greens want to implement a National Renters Protection Authority.

Costing $200m per annum and staffed by 1,000 public servants, the NRPA would investigate rental breaches as well as offering advocacy, advice and education to renters around Australia.

The NRPA would deal with tenancy disputes and enforce the minimum standards the Greens want, including rent freezes, ventilation, heating, cool and insulation standards. The NRPA is part of a wider $2.5b Greens Plan to convince the States to enact rent freezes.

How the NRPA would work in practice is unclear. There seems significant overlap with the role of State Government Departments.

Victoria, as an example, is planning to implement far reaching housing standards to include heating, cooling and insulation.

Qld's latest round of rental changes come into force on 30 September 2024. These include new standards for re-letting costs, methods for paying rent, timelines for utility bill payments, and supporting evidence for bond claims.

NSW is also moving towards tightening the rules for no-default evictions.

And just to top it off, media reports indicate that the Federal Government has asked Treasury to look at the implications of changing negative gearing rules.

Lots of political obfuscation peppered with some denials by Government members.

Similar to the Government's superannuation changes which targeted the higher end of superannuation balances, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Government target negative gearing changes, for example, at the 5% of landlords who own 6 plus properties.

Any uncertainty over rent controls and negative gearing just reinforces nervousness amongst investors at a time when Australia needs greater investment in rental housing.

Ch 9 News - Rent Controls

Report No. 7, 57th Parliament Housing, Big Build and Manufacturing Committee, May 2024

National Renters Protection Authority Plan

Negative Gearing Changes

September 2024