Federal Group lights up Wrest Point Casino tower blue as a beacon of hope amid huge job losses

One day after the shock announcement it would stand down 1500 workers, the Federal Group has lit up the Wrest Point Casino tower.

THE iconic Wrest Point Casino tower has been transformed into a beacon of hope amid mass job losses at the site and elsewhere.

On Monday, corporate affairs executive general manager of the Federal Group, which owns and operates Wrest Point, Daniel Hanna, announced the company would stand down 1500 of its 1900 staff in the wake of the Federal Government’s stage one COVID-19 restrictions.

At about 7.30pm on Tuesday, the company lit up Tasmania’s tallest building in blue as a sign of solidarity for the state’s entire tourism and hospitality industry.

Wrest Point lights up its tower at Hobart. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

“Yesterday we faced the darkest day in Federal Group’s history,” the company wrote in a message to its current and former workforce.

“Tonight, our iconic Wrest Point tower will be lit blue as a beacon of hope and solidarity.

“We do this for our team, for the 38,000 Tasmanian tourism and hospitality workers impacted by yesterday’s shut down and for our community.

“We know the worst may still be ahead of us, but we will keep the lights on until the threat of COVID-19 has passed and we all arise more connected, more resilient and more committed than ever before.”

In a media statement, Mr Hanna said Federal would also meet with its bank on Tuesday evening about pausing payments for electronic gaming machines lease arrangements, which would immediately be passed on to its now closed pokies venues.