Artesian Hospitality partner Matt Keegan questions Queensland Government’s lockdowns and compensation packages
A Gold Coast hospitality operator whose business will lose “hundreds of thousands of dollars” during the latest lockdown says full region lockdowns and compensation packages weren’t the answer.
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A GOLD Coast hospitality operator whose business will lose “hundreds of thousands of dollars” during the latest lockdown has questioned if full region lockdowns and compensation packages are the answer.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced on Saturday that 11 local government areas, including the Gold Coast, would start a three-day lockdown from 4pm.
He also said details for a compensation package were being worked through and would be confirmed on Sunday.
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“It is our intention that this is a short lockdown and that we can deal with this outbreak within days,” he said.
“Because we know that is the best way for businesses to recover, the best way to keep people in work and the best way to keep our economy going.
“We also acknowledge this lockdown has come not long after the last one and that’s why for this lockdown we will seek to have a compensation package in place.
“We will contact the Commonwealth and seek to have similar compensation arrangements to those that have been applied in other states during these lockdowns.”
Artesian Hospitality partner Matt Keegan, whose stable of venues include the new Surfers Pavilion along with Orchid Ave nightclubs Sin City, The Bedroom and Havana, said compensation packages are unlikely to help the far reaching impact of the lockdown.
“For a business like us we will be losing hundreds of thousands of dollars not being able to open over the weekend,” he said.
“It’s not just a few days and nights of loss but also loss of work for staff and it creates a lack of confidence from customers.”
Mr Keegan said he doesn’t want a situation like Sydney or Melbourne where businesses have to deal with a lengthy lockdown but argued there could be better ways to keep the community safe.
“It is frustrating as a business that this has happened so quickly after the last lockdown,” he said.
“The hope is that when the vaccination is rolled out it will help prevent lockdowns but maybe we should look at other options.
“A transition to lockdowns for the vulnerable during times like these could be an option.
“We know for people under 50 without medical concerns that they are at a low risk from Covid-19. Those people are more at risk on the roads in cars but we don’t stop them from driving.”
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Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said she was pleased to hear a compensation package was being worked on for businesses during the current lockdown after a tough 18 months.
“Our most recent industry survey for July 2021 reinforces just how dire the situation has become,” she said.
“With 165 businesses responding to our request for a current view of their business position in the last week. Just over half of the businesses said revenue for July had been impacted by 50 per cent or more and 63 per cent of businesses indicated that they are reducing their trading and staff hours.
“Critically and looking forward to coming months, if the situation does not improve, 24 per cent of these businesses have indicated that they may need to cease their operation fully.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate was also happy with the state’s government compensation plans but said it was also time for the federal government to step up and help with wage subsidies.
“I want to applaud state government who said they will compensate businesses in
monetary values in this lockdown,” he said.
“For the 11 local government areas I’m saying man up and mask up, and for the federal government I’m saying man up and support the wage subsidies.”
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