JUST GIVE US A DATE
TOURISM BOSS PLEADS
THE city’s top tourism boss has been left “frustrated and confused” by the ongoing border closure row and is urging the State Government to “give us a date” on reopening.
Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan said the tourism industry and Gold Coast Airport needed some certainty.
It was critical for businesses so they could rehire staff and get COVID-safe plans in place ahead of the normally key interstate winter influx. It was worth $1.2 billion from July to September last year, the Bulletin revealed yesterday.
Mr Donovan said a border date was crucial for the airport to prepare to kickstart aviation back to the tourism capital.
“I would really love the Premier to come out and give us a date for the whole industry in Queensland,” he said.
“We should be able to get a date. We need a date so the airport can work with airlines to get schedules in place. We want the border open.”
The controversial border closure row got farcical this week after it was revealed yesterday the State Government is refusing to admit in the High Court its controversial closure of the border is hurting suffering businesses.
Yesterday the Bulletin revealed state solicitor general Sandy Thompson QC, in documents in the High Court, notes the Government “do not admit” the business’ financial hardship is due to border blocks.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said border restrictions might end as soon as the end of this month, describing the latest NSW virus figures as “very encouraging”. The Gold Coast sits on two active cases.
The Premier said she understood Coast businesses were doing it tough: “I understand that, I speak to people regularly, they write, they send emails, I have been there firsthand, I have spoken to people.
“We are in stage two. In stage two, it does not talk about interstate travel. I have made it absolutely clear that we will be looking at that at the end of the month as we enter stage three,” she said.
Mr Donovan said the preliminary argument lodged in response to the border block legal challenge left him “confused and frustrated”.
“What cave are they in? They need to get across to the Gold Coast and look at the absolute desecration of the tourism industry. Everyone is aware of it – it’s on its knees.
“To make a statement or case like that is totally insensitive, lacks understanding,” Mr Donovan said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison reiterated a need for states to end border blocks to get planes flying and activate jobs.
Mayor Tom Tate said: “I will be briefed (today) by the Premier on the latest medical advice. Like everyone I hope the advice allows for our border to open sooner rather than later. We have done everything we have been asked and I hope our good work pays off very soon.”
The businesses and individuals fighting the border ban in court argue they rely on unrestricted interstate travel for customers or growth opportunities so the closure is causing them “financial harm”.