Call for more tourism bailout

Sorry, no promises

A QUEENSLAND tourism leader has called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to immediately double emergency funding to the tourism industry as coronavirus losses mount into hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Federal Government last month announced $76 million in emergency assistance for the industry in the wake of the devastating bushfires.

But Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind said the amount needed to be doubled due to the crippling effects of coronavirus.

The Government this week closed Australia’s borders to Chinese travellers, shutting down Australia’s biggest visitor market which is worth about $10 billion a year.

Mr Gschwind said coronavirus was a potentially greater threat than the bushfires.

“The coronavirus has already resulted in major revenue losses and reputational damage to operators across the nation, including

Queensland,” he said. “Early estimates of the accumulated cancellation losses in Queensland alone amount to more than $100 million to date, with some estimates of losses over the coming months exceeding the onebillion-dollar mark.

“This figure is not just an economic indicator, instead it reflects the damage done to thousands of business operators who find themselves in severe financial stress, outside their control.

“Job losses are already occurring and have the potential to become significant.”

A MOTHER was perhaps too honest with a magistrate yesterday after she initially couldn’t guarantee being on her best behaviour for 12-months.

Axa Brandi Van Haeren pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to a string of stealing and drug offences. The court was told she stole $2021.60 worth of items from several shops with another woman on April 27.

Magistrate Michelle Dooley asked Van Haeren whether she agreed to a 12-month $800 good behaviour bond for 12 months. The bond means she can’t commit an offence for that period or risk paying the fine.

Van Haeren replied: “I can try, the whole reason I got these charges is because I can’t afford the things, so I’m not going to promise you anything, but yeah, what can I say?”

She told Ms Dooley she was just being honest and then agreed to the penalty.

She was sentenced to a six-month $800 good behaviour bond and no conviction was recorded.