NSW Fair Trading Minister, Virginia Judge, today launched a multi-language CD to help migrants, especially new arrivals and refugees, to become well informed about changes to tenancy laws.

Ms Judge launched the new CD as part of the celebrations of 2010 Fair Trading Week.

“The NSW Government wants to help non-English speaking tenants understand their rights and responsibilities when renting a home under the new laws,” Ms Judge said.

“People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are often vulnerable and misinformed.

“Because of language barriers, some people may not fully understand or exercise their consumer and tenancy rights and responsibilities.”

Ms Judge said that the Changes to Tenancy Laws audio CD was needed because renting was an ongoing issue of concern among community members from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

“The CD contains an overview of the new tenancy laws which will deliver important protections for tenant and landlords in NSW,” she said.

“The new law brings greater fairness and balance to hundreds and thousands of families, whether they are tenants or residential property owners.

“Having the audio CD available in ten languages – Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Dinka, Korean, Kirundi, Mandarin, Somali, Swahili and Tetum – means that it is widely accessible to those most in need of the information,” Ms Judge said.

The CD has been designed specifically for community workers and organisations, service providers and for community language radio stations.

Many consumers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds rely upon community-based organisations to obtain information about government services.

“Through its Think Smart partnerships and initiatives, Fair Trading is making a real difference to NSW consumers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds,” Ms Judge said.

Changes to renting laws audio resources

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