Airbnb to share info but Gutwein rules out regulation

TREASURER Peter Gutwein says data on Airbnb’s impact on Tasmania’s housing crisis remains inconclusive.

In his opening remarks ahead of yesterday’s housing summit, Mr Gutwein told the room the Government would not increase taxes or regulation to solve the crisis.

A discussion paper compiled by the University of Tasmania’s Institute for the Study of Social Change had recommended the Government consider a “pause” strategy for approvals to convert entire properties into short-term holiday accommodation in key urban areas.

It comes after data released in February revealed the use of Airbnb in Tasmania had skyrocketed since mid-2016.

Following the summit, Mr Gutwein said the Government would engage in data-sharing partnerships with Airbnb and Stayz/Expedia to inform policy and improve transparency.

When asked whether he would consider levies or regulation if the data indicated they could help ease the crisis, Mr Gutwein said he would not make any commitments until he had reviewed the information. He said Airbnb data remained inconclusive.

Airbnb’s Head of Public Policy ANZ Brent Thomas said Airbnb was not the problem, but could be part of the solu- tion. “As the saying goes — the better the data, the better the decision, and as a direct outcome of the summit, we have agreed to a data-sharing agreement with the Tasmanian Government,” Mr Thomas said.

Stayz also welcomed the data-sharing agreement.