Repair starts

URGENT action to tackle the needs of the individuals and sectors most deeply hit by the COVID-19 pandemic are the keys to rebuilding the state’s social and economic fabric, an expert panel has found.

The Premiers’ Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council has handed down its interim report, with 64 recommendations for short-to-medium-term action.

It is intended to help the state government fix the havoc caused by the pandemic and smooth and refine the effect of more than $1bn on economic stimulus measures announced to date.

It identified women and young people as among those most affected by the pandemic and tourism, hospitality and the arts as the industry sectors hardest hit.

Among the key recommendations are speeding up planning decisions, permits and approvals to boost the construction industry; using local suppliers for government contract work and requiring agencies to buy local and improving certainty by explaining clearly to the community how future COVID-19 outbreaks will be managed.

The recommendations have not been costed and the government is not bound to accept them.

Council chair Don Challen said the report was designed to provide actions the government could use to rebuild economic momentum and to mend the deep social impacts of the virus.

“While the full impact of

COVID-19 is yet to be seen, what we have seen to date includes the impact on business and employment from the broadbased drop in demand, structural impacts on specific sectors of the economy — most particularly accommodation and food services and arts and recreation, children, young people, women, casual workers and foreign visa holders, and existing vulnerable groups such as the elderly, and unfortunately particular regions of Tasmania,” Mr Challen said.

“The interim report identifies strategic priorities for the immediate recovery response.”

Premier Peter Gutwein received the report on Monday afternoon and said he would seek advice from government departments on what could be implemented and how fast.

“The challenge that we face moving forward is how we ensure that we have a strong economy under the circumstances and importantly also that we rebuild the social fabric of Tasmania as well,” he said.

More than 100 agencies, organisations and individuals made submissions to the interim report. A second report is due in February.

THE CHALLENGE THAT WE FACE GOING FORWARD IS HOW WE ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A STRONG ECONOMY UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES DON CHALLEN