Frecklington calls for travel certainty to save jobs
OPPOSITION leader Deb Frecklington said the State Government’s delay in restarting interstate travel will have a devastating effect on businesses already struggling.
Ms Frecklington slammed the border closures in a visit to
Cairns, saying almost three out of every four interstate visitors to Far North Queensland come from NSW and Victoria.
“There are over 500,000 visitors a year that come over the border,” she said.
“Cairns tourism businesses are having to put off workers and consider closing.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to give businesses certainty and confidence about when the borders will reopen.”
Ms Frecklington said the premier should commit to the original plan of July, rather than September or later.
Uncle Brian’s Tours owner Paul Harris said they dropped from 15 staff to four during the closure.
“We normally run about five buses between the Tablelands and Cape Tribulation on day and overnight trips, and on March 20 we heard the news, and then on Monday we had to start handing out separation certificates,” he said.
Afterthoughts are little solace to the Cairns Taipans.
The team now faces the prospect of having to play in hastily upgraded Cairns Basketball facilities in Manunda or, heaven forbid, shift to Townsville.
The Taipans have made it clear the only viable option is to change the schedule of works to allow them to play even if part of the centre is still a construction site.
Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt, a Taipans tragic who funded the project during his tenure as Queensland Treasurer, was desperate to save the season.
“Really, quite simply, Cairns can’t afford to lose its national
“It was like walking off a cliff – you reach the pinnacle of what you were doing, everything was going great, and the next day you’re struggling.”
Mr Harris said reopening the borders would provide a great opportunity for backpackers to try out travelling in their own backyard. sporting team,” he said. “If there is talk of any compensation, that’s ultimately going to be a decision for people of government.”
The prospect of closing the convention centre for six months during construction was a necessary evil – and one that through pure serendipity coincided with the coronavirus tourism shutdown.
That happy coincidence is now blown out of the water, and the region’s tourism industry will suffer because of it.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said the postponement was unacceptable.
“This is a project that is now three years delayed,” she said.