Industry leaders call on State Government for economic recovery plan
The state’s tourism industry is bracing for closures and more uncertainty after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk slammed shut the Queensland border to NSW and ACT today. It comes as business leaders call on the government to provide an economic recovery plan.
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The state’s peak tourism body says some businesses could be forced to close down once again after Queensland slammed its border shut to NSW and the ACT.
It comes as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland warns that the border shutdown will undeniably impact businesses as they call on the government to provide an economic recovery plan.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind described the border closure as another blow to an industry already hamstrung from six months of “disastrous news”.
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He said they agreed that Queensland needed to avoid a similar situation to Melbourne at all costs.
He also acknowledged there was a prospect that some businesses that had recently reopened could close down again.
“It just highlights the absolute uncertainty that we are operating in, which is draining for businesses and makes it almost impossible to plan for the future,” Mr Gschwind said.
“Many businesses are operating at the margins and any backward move will have that impact, one would figure.”
Mr Gschwind said there was a desperate need for the industry to work with the government to navigate its way out of the health crisis.
“We need to engage in that kind of planning, because we just cannot endure the endless uncertainty,” he said.
“We have to be in a position to actually recover again.”
CCIQ’s general manager of advocacy and policy, Amanda Rohan, said they also understood the decision to close the border was based on health advice.
“Yes, it will have an impact on business, there is no denying that, especially for those who rely on interstate travellers, and conditions are incredibly tough for those sectors,” she said.
“We’ll continue advocating for additional stimulus and support they so desperately need in these tumultuous times.
“Businesses are at the front line of the health crisis, and the economic recovery is dependent on industry being supported to enable them to operate and keep people in jobs.”
Ms Rohan said their priority was to support all businesses by allowing them to remain open and operating.
“For that to be possible, it is now critical for the Palaszczuk Government to provide its Economic Recovery Plan,” she said.
“CCIQ has been asking for a plan, and we will be keeping the pressure on as it’s crucial to provide business with certainty in knowing what the forward plan is.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday conceded it was going to be “tough” for those small businesses in communities like the Gold Coast, but she insisted the border decision was about protecting the economy.
“I am asking Queenslander to get out there and continue to support Queenslanders,” she said.
“But what would be more catastrophic is to take Queensland backwards.
“This is about protecting our economy and protecting Queenslander’s health.”
The government says it is already delivering an economic recovery plan - pointing to its “Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs” program.
The $6 billion package has included payroll tax relief measures, as well as about $200 million in grants for small businesses.
The government has already unveiled two stages of its “Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs” program, and the Premier has previously flagged there would be more to come.
The CCIQ has also provided its own plan to the government, which includes a push to reform payroll tax and stamp duty, as well as a proposal to set a government target for buying from small businesses.
A number of other proposals in the CCIQ’s plan have already been adopted by the government.
“CCIQ has provided the government with a plan to revive and rebuild our economy and now is the time to see that actioned further,” Ms Rohan said