Gunner’s road map will be crucial for struggling NT businesses

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has taken the right steps to ensure our safety during the coronavirus pandemic, but more action needs to be taken now to help our struggling business owners.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has taken the right steps to ensure our safety during the coronavirus pandemic, but more action needs to be taken now to help our struggling business owners. Picture: Glenn Campbell

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has taken the right steps to ensure our safety during the coronavirus pandemic but more action needs to be taken now to help our struggling business owners.

While we’re not out of the woods yet, we’re on the right track and it’s something we should all be proud of.

However, our businesses are doing it tough.

This time of year, trade normally picks up as we head into a jam-packed dry season.

But this year there won’t be an onslaught of backpackers, grey nomads and other tourists visiting and spending cash in the Territory.

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This year, our shops are unlikely to see any of the benefits the Dry brings with it.

Restaurants and cafes that are already operating on a shoestring budget are set to suffer.

The Chamber of Commerce has warned that some businesses need to begin opening in the next two weeks rather than the forecasted near six-week time frame. They warn that businesses won’t make it that long and will be forced to close.

That’s the last thing the Territory needs – more empty shop fronts.

We need to see calculated and safe steps put forward by Mr Gunner to ensure shops begin to open sooner rather than later.

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We’ll learn tomorrow how Mr Gunner and his government plan to bring the Territory back to its new normal. His plan needs to be detailed and to the point.

No one can afford any mixed messages at this point.