Qld hospitality figures furious over government’s proposed Star lifeline for Star
Furious hospitality leaders have slammed a state government plan to offer embattled casino giant Star Entertainment a tax reprieve.
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The state government’s possible plan to offer embattled casino giant Star Entertainment a tax reprieve has outraged the Queensland hospitality community, with restaurant and cafe owners “furious” and calling the proposal “bullsh-t”.
Premier Steven Miles said on Wednesday that discussions about taxpayer help for Star were ongoing, but suggested the most likely support would be in the form of delayed gambling or payroll tax payments.
With Star’s new $3.6b Queens Wharf precinct to feature 50 new restaurants, bars and cafes, which would provide intense competition to existing eateries across Brisbane, hospitality owners are calling the proposed move “unfair” and a slap in the face.
It comes as eateries across the state face immense financial pressures with a reduction in Queenslanders dining out and a decreased spend per head as a result of the cost-of-living crisis, leading to many venues entering liquidation.
Simon Gloftis, behind some of the state’s most prominent restaurants including Hellenika, SK Steak and Oyster, Sushi Room and Sunshine, described the proposition as “bullsh-t”.
“That’s absolute bullsh-t,” he said. “They (Star Entertainment) run their business poorly and we have to pick up the tab. They already have a competitive advantage – places like that – because they’re drawing people in, they don’t need anymore advantages.”
Mr Gloftis said if the state government was going to offer any form of tax relief to Star, it should be offered to all businesses.
“I’ve been in the game for 25 years and what, you’re going to give the guy next door to me a hand but not me, it’s embarrassing,” he said.
“Beyond angry” over the proposal was Farmhouse Kedron owner Amanda Scott.
In May her family run Brisbane business was slapped with a shock $344,000 payroll tax bill by the state government and given just 14 days to pay most of it after accidentally falling victim to a confusing grouping tax rule.
While she is currently paying the debt, the idea of Star being given any form of government reprieve from its payroll tax bill was enough to make her cry.
“I’m furious, furious,” she said. “We’re local, we’re a family, we’ve invested our own money, we’ve got no grants ever, we’ve had no investments from the government, I cannot believe this. I am so upset.”
She said the hospitality industry was already dealing with enough challenges including a skills shortage, rising wages, and soaring electricity, insurance and food costs and this was another kick in the guts.
“When I heard that I just felt so unsupported,” she said, issuing the following questions to the state government.
“Have you forgotten about Queenslanders? Have you forgotten about small businesses? Have you forgotten about the backbone of tourism in Queensland? Because that’s how it feels.”
Coffee tsar and hospitality advocate Phillip Di Bella said Star should not be getting any bailouts or help, and it should be a “one size fits all” approach.
“The Star shouldn’t be getting any special treatment in terms of its payroll tax because it’s now something that affects all businesses, not just the Star casino,” he said.
The state government is yet to decide whether it will assist Star, but Mr Miles says thousands of Queensland jobs must be protected.
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