From small acorns....

Hello Everyone!

So it's been a week and as I write 268 signatures! (With no media coverage!) Thanks for signing.  Please tell you mates to sign and share, share, share!

Over the years, have you noticed the relentlessly biased and negative vibes in the mainstream media about Airbnb and similar? I know I have;  "Selfish opportunistic hosts running 'Party Houses' that drug-dealers frequent to do their nefarious deals". But as we all know, the almost exact opposite is true.

Private Home Short Term Rental Accommodation (PhoSTRA) is in fact run by super-hard working, entrepreneurial, tax-payers. In a complex and competitive market, with significant risk. The epitome of small business, the life-blood of Australia (and the ATO!)

Not only does PHoSTRA facilitate a new and fairer system of tourism, empowering host and guest alike, (so many extended families with the dogs book our place. A typical booking is 'Nana's 80th'!) It also fuels a whole new sector of service employment, such as: Laundry, Cleaning, Maintenance, Gardening and Management. Real jobs in local communities. Plus the double plus of not having a house sit empty, contributing nothing to local business.

Yet where is the news story of that?

Its on this perceived negativity that Councils like Noosashire and Sunshine Coast feel they can justify exorbitant rate hikes, backed by traditional business, that feels threatened. These Councils see a 'win-win' in this circumstance, 'Milk the loathed Airbnb-ers.' But they are wrong. Airbnb is the Genie out of the bottle, there are a load of Nanas out there approaching 80, and we love them, and want to be around them when they celebrate such a wonderful life!

And in the meantime, employ cleaners, laundry-staff, gardeners, managers and tax payers!

Keep sharing!

Thanks and respect
Pip