Tasmanian business leaders call for more support in the wake of Premier’s decision to defer state’s border reopening
The delayed reopening of Tasmania’s borders has ignited calls for an immediate cash stimulus and an easing of coronavirus restrictions within the state.
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THE Gutwein Government should lift the remaining local restrictions in the wake of an extended closure of Tasmania’s borders, state business leaders have urged.
A decision to delay the reopening of the borders has been described as a “devastating blow” and “disheartening” to Tasmanian businesses, with calls for an immediate cash stimulus to be injected into the state’s economy.
Premier Peter Gutwein said on Friday borders would no longer open on July 24 to any states, with the move put off by at least a week amid a wave of new infections in Victoria.
The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry called for the Government to rethink its strategy for restrictions in Tasmania.
“It’s quite clear that even a limited reopening of borders is now likely to be months away,” TCCI chief executive Michael Bailey said.
“While we understand the reasons for the decision, this will result in more job losses and more business closures especially with tourism, hospitality and retail-exposed businesses.”
Mr Bailey said the remaining state restrictions should be lifted, and a cash stimulus implemented to encourage Tasmanian households to spend and support local businesses.
Similar urgings have been made by the Tasmanian Small Business Council, which has called for the one person per four square metre density rule to be scrapped.
Council chief executive Robert Mallett also believes a travel bubble with COVID-free New Zealand could be implemented before opening up to other Australian states.
“Keeping the borders closed is a devastating blow for Tasmanian business, at a time when many were preparing to get back up and running with the expected opening of borders,” he said.
“While I respect the public safety reasoning behind the decision, it’s extremely disheartening for those businesses who rely on the tourist dollar as part of their established business model.”
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said the decision to delay opening the state’s borders was understandable, but said the state’s economic future hinged on interstate visitation resuming as soon as it was deemed safe.
Mr Martin said another round of government stimulus grants was critically needed to help keep struggling tourism businesses afloat.
“Our biggest market is closed indefinitely,” he said. “There needs to be a further round of the hardship grants.”
Destination Southern Tasmania chief executive Alex Heroys supported the Government’s approach, saying Tasmania could not afford a second wave of COVID-19.
“I know our members would love to have Victorians and visitors from other states come here, but they are also extremely concerned about the possibility of having to shut their doors again because of a lockdown,” he said.
State independent member for Clark Madeleine Ogilvie said the creation of a travel bubble with New Zealand was now essential.
“The tourism sector needs to be provided with a secure lifeline,” she said.
“The Government will have to get the cheque book out to support them over coming months. No ifs, no buts, no excuses.”
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