On Wednesday, 22 July 2026 estimates hearings in relation to the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee took place.
I asked questions about the State government's interference in regulation of short term rentals (Airbnbs) in Brisbane City Council.
You can read the full exchange below or in the official Parliamentary record of proceedings here.
Mr SPEAKER: Do you have another question?
Mr BERKMAN: I do. I want to put one question to the Deputy Premier. In the midst of a housing crisis, with record high rents, you would be well aware that the LNP Brisbane City Council backflipped on its promise to regulate Airbnbs and other short-stay accommodation. Did the state LNP advocate for this change and does it support it?
Mr BLEIJIE: I thank the member from the Greens party for a question, because I have not had any questions from the official opposition. We want land supply right across the state. We want all forms of housing, whether it is short-term or long-term accommodation. We want people to be able to aspire to achieve home ownership in Queensland. I have met with Airbnb. They talked about regulation of the industry. We are a government of Liberal-National persuasion and we like less regulation and less red tape, and that is the view that I have on this particular issue.
At this stage they are best regulated as they are currently, with local governments. That is the advice I have given to the LGAQ, so we are not wanting to play in that space. Where we are wanting to play is in all forms of housing, whether it is short-term or long-term accommodation, hotel accommodation, building the homes that the former government failed to deliver or unlocking the land supply. We have adjusted PDAs including the Woolloongabba PDA to allow density and height. We are pulling absolutely every lever available to the state government to provide that land supply because everyone is so desperate for land across Queensland. It has not been a difficult thing to do in terms of the housing crisis when people say, ‘What’s the best thing the government can do?’ It is about the supply and demand; it goes back to the economy and supply and demand. We have way too much demand out there and not enough supply.
Mr BERKMAN: Point of order, Mr Speaker: I mindful of time and I feel like the question has been answered. I am satisfied. I am happy to move on, if I can.
Mr BLEIJIE: I have satisfied the Greens member.