Cairns tourism leaders’ meeting with Premier explains gravity of FNQ situation

A wage subsidy is off the table but Far Northern tourism leaders are confident three days of meetings in Brisbane weren’t a waste.

THE picture of a desperate and struggling Far Northern economy has been painted for the State Premier who has agreed to rethink how relief funding could be spent in the Far North.

Advance Cairns chairman Nick Trompf sat in a series of meetings with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, members of her team, and members of treasurer Cameron Dick’s team last week.

The meetings in Brisbane came after the Premier had turned down an invitation to visit the Far North, which Mr Trompf said she had now accepted, and would be in the region “soon”.

The delegation of Far Northern tourism leaders were hoping to spruik a targeted wage subsidy announcement for local business, which Mr Trompf said was turned down.

“I think they were reluctant on a wage subsidy because it’s linked to payroll, however the Premier certainly understood the gravity of the situation.

“So it’s not for me to say when they’ll make any announcements, but they know time is of the essence. They know we have businesses closing their doors every week, so this isn’t something they can sit on for six months.”

Mr Trompf said a key argument “relentlessly” made was that the government needed to provide clarity and continuous support.

“These one-off grants are good and accepted, but one of the requirements for eligibility is a downturn of 70 per cent. Now a lot of businesses in Queensland can say they’re down 70 per cent, but for how long?

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has agreed to visit the Far North. Picture: Liam Kidston

“We know in Cairns, it’s been down 70 per cent for months, longer than anything a single grant will help with.

“We’re advocating for periodic payments, that should be targeted, but must continue until at least Christmas, which is when we’re hoping to reach 80 per cent vaccination.”

He said businesses also needed clarity and simplicity over which funding they were eligible for and which funds would be available.

“We’re not asking for new money, there’s plenty of money left in the $600m package.

“But if businesses owners knew when the money would be coming in, and how much, they can start planning how they’ll operate until Christmas.”

Mr Trompf said he was given no indication of what sort, or when a new funding announcement would be made, but following the meetings he was confident that if the State Government “wanted to” provide continuous support, it had the capability to do so.

Originally published as Cairns tourism leaders’ meeting with Premier explains gravity of FNQ situation