More pressure on Palaszczuk to ease virus rules

Опубликованно 08.09.2020 19:30

It comes as Ms Palaszczuk faces intense pressure and criticism over the State’s border restrictions, which are likely to come to a head at Friday’s national cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has signalled he wanted borders opened by Christmas saying Australia can’t keep living as a “dislocated nation.”

And Treasurer John Frydenberg lashed out at the premier over the “cruel implications” the border rules have had.

Restaurant and Catering Australia (RCA) and the Queensland Hotels Associations (QHA) say they appreciate how well Queensland has managed the pandemic but are hoping restrictions will be softened in coming weeks if community transmission remains low or is zero.

The AFL grand final will be staged at the Gabba on October 24.

Under stage three restrictions pubs and eateries (greater than 200 sqm) can operate at 25 per cent capacity and, for many restaurants and hotels, they are already at capacity on weekends.

One hotel operator near the Gabba told NCA NewsWire that unless patronage numbers increased for the AFL grand final it would make no difference to their turnover because they are already at ‘capacity’ on game days.

RCA chief executive Wes Lambert said the grand final would benefit the industry but it would have an even greater impact if stage restrictions were loosened.

Restaurant and Catering Australia CEO Wes Lambert would like to see restrictions eased. Picture: Supplied

“Absolutely (we would want restrictions eased), especially if community transmission is low, or zero, to allow businesses to capitalise on the historic occasion,” Mr Lambert told NCA Newswire.

“I think it would be a fitting reward for an industry which has borne the brunt and taken the lead role to keep people safe.”

QHA CEO Bernie Hogan said AFL games staged in southeast Queensland and Cairns this week had already helped the industry slowly get back on its feet.

“Queensland has managed the outbreaks well at this point and depending on health advice, we will continue to work with the government to see how we can take advantage of this opportunity,” he said

Queensland consumer expert Dr Gary Mortimer could see little benefit for restaurants during grand final week unless restrictions were eased considerably.

Many eateries were already booked out on weekends and therefore would not be able to capitalise on footy fans flocking to Brisbane.

“Despite the influx of tourists coming to Brisbane for that weekend it may not achieve its aim or have a net gain for restaurants because they are still limited on numbers,” he said.

“The drawback is the restaurants may not win out … and generally when I’ve been out of late, they have all been booked out anyway.”

The call to ease restrictions follows Network Seven personality Sam Armytage attacking Ms Palaszczuk over her treatment of northern NSW communities that have been severely hampered by border closure.

“She won’t come on the show. I am happy to have it out with her. I am fed up with what’s going on in NSW,” Ms Armytage said on the program.

Associate Professor Gary Mortimer sees little benefit of the grand final if restrictions are not relaxed. Picture: Mathew Farrell

Moree Plains Mayor Katrina Humphries has pleaded with the Palaszczuk Government to open the border after the NSW border town of Mungindi was left without access to a supermarket or butcher following a fire on Wednesday.

Ms Armytage said she wanted to “have it out” with the Premier while she was interviewing Ms Humphries on Thursday morning.

“My blood’s boiling because of a lot of things she’s (Palaszczuk’s) done lately,” Armytage said.

“You guys have now got no supermarket, no butcher, no food, basically. She won’t come on the show. I’m happy to have it out with her. I’m fed up with what’s going on in NSW.”

“She won’t take Gladys Berejiklian’s phone calls, so I don’t think she’ll take ours.”

Queensland recorded two new cases of coronavirus and has 30 active cases across the state.

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