Paul Dimattina: Business owners will get through this crisis but we need help
Instead of apologising adequately for his government’s catastrophic mistakes, Premier Daniel Andrews has instead blamed Victorians. He must accept responsibility and be held accountable for the mismanagement that forced us into lockdown again, writes Paul Dimattina.
Opinion
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My grandparents migrated to Australia in 1920. They embraced the Melbourne lifestyle and culture and Melbourne embraced them.
Our family motto has always been the three Fs: Family, Food, Football.
Four generations later, the Dimattina family are still heavily involved in the Melbourne hospitality scene through Lamaro’s Hotel in South Melbourne, Il Gambero Restaurant in Lygon St, and Dimattina Coffee.
We are extremely proud and passionate about what we do. I wear my heart on my sleeve and no more than the last 48 hours.
I love my staff and treat them like my family. I am fortunate to work with an unbelievably talented, creative and fun-loving team.
We do live in a great country where freedom of speech is embraced. We also live in a great city with an eclectic mix of people.
A lot of these are international students on student visas, Millennials on working holiday visas and others who have sought a better life and moved to Australia and are lucky enough to be on a 482 TSS (Temporary Skill Shortage) sponsorship visa.
Our hospitality sector has many of these staff working with us.
My absolute heart goes out to them now as there is nothing available for them. I, like a lot of my colleagues, am doing our best to support them through these times when they cannot work but it is not financially viable.
How are they meant to pay the rent, pay for their groceries and survive through this crisis without any income?
The hospitality industry is in crisis right now.
We’re facing high rents, exorbitant electricity and gas charges, the rising cost of produce, plus all the complicated bureaucratic compliance and governance costs. And now we are trying to operate a venue at 25 per cent capacity when, and if, we are allowed to open again.
Some fabulous talented hospitality icons have lost their business, livelihood and sanity recently.
My heart goes out to all our peers who have been forced into another business lockdown. It is ridiculously stressful. Trying to keep a business afloat with next to no revenue is tough. We, like most, have made pivots to keep our business alive.
It is an unforgiving game. The hours are long and hard, but on the flip side we get to meet so many fantastic people.
It is a great social environment and I get a buzz every time I work (not quite as much as running around the MCG but still, it is an adrenaline rush).
It is so satisfying to see people leave with a smile on their face after having a great night and a great experience.
This week I passionately voiced my opinion regarding our state government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis.
With great power comes great responsibility. The Premier has not adequately apologised and has laid blame on Victorians for the rise in cases.
The Premier must accept responsibility for the incompetence and actions of his government.
The Premier must be accountable for the poor outcomes and mismanagement we are seeing in Victoria.
The Premier must take ownership of his government’s catastrophic mistakes. Anything less is unacceptable for quiet, hardworking and decent Victorians. There can be no excuses.
There are less than 100 days to go until JobKeeper reaches its legislated end date of September 27. Most businesses will not carry on without government support.
September will see an end to a number of business support measures, such as rent holidays and the banks’ loan repayment deferrals. Once these supports are removed, the insolvencies will begin. Obviously, I don’t have a crystal ball, but when the government stimulus ends, there’s going to be tears and heartbreak.
When we get through this mess, which we will, all the cafes and restaurants and pubs of Melbourne want is open unrestricted and unencumbered by token restrictions, so we can do our best and be our best.
Because Melbourne’s hospitality has always been the best — our best has always been safe and clean, and the envy of the world.
— Paul Dimattina is a businessman and former AFL footballer.