- It's been a year since the pandemic hit Australia
- Initial 6-month temporary covid-response legislation was put in place
- It has since been extended, but is due to run out this month
In March 2020, Australian state and federal governments declared that the country was in the Covid-19 pandemic, and told its citizens that life as they knew it was about to change.
After the initial shock and chaos caused by a lack of a clear set of rules, laws and guidelines, the government soon introduced codes, acts and economic assistance for those in need.
In the commercial industry in West Australia, we were presented with the WA Code of Conduct (WA Code) and the Commercial Tenancies (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020 (WA).
The Act and the Code were temporary measures that were initially due to expire in September. When September rolled around, the state government extended them for another six months, so they are due to expire this month.
On its own website, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) says that “the emergency period under the Commercial Tenancies (COVID-19 Response) Act 2020 (WA) (CTCR Act) will end on 28 March 2021.”
“This means that the current moratorium on evictions, freeze on rent increases and WA Code of Conduct (WA Code) will no longer apply after that date. However, some requirements of the CTCR Act will continue even after the emergency period ends.”
So, this is the position as it stands…
What will this mean?
Later this month, I will catch up with commercial property Lawyer Tristan Cockman of Justice Legal.
We will look back at the initial six-month phase, review what happened when the government extended the legislation for another six months and see what is expected once the Act expires.
We will publish the interview here on The Property Tribune in early April.
