Human Rights Commission turns Muldoonist

Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt writes:

Last week, as part of the Human Rights Commission’s housing inquiry, I highlighted that many renters are having to make trade-offs between their fundamental human rights, such as the right to adequate food and the right to a decent home.

Renters are also unfairly burdened with enforcing the government’s tenancy laws.

I suggested two short-term initiatives: a freeze on rent increases and an increase to the accommodation supplement.

So the Human Rights Commission wants to return to Muldoon style economics with a rent freeze.

There is 50 years of economic research that shows rent freezes or controls leads to fewer houses being available for renting. So in fact the HRC is campaigning to increase homelessness in New Zealand.