COVID fines ‘crippling’ pubs
ON THE same day Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged Queenslanders to go and support their local pubs as COVID-19 restrictions eased, she remained tightlipped about the hefty fines imposed on struggling Outback pubs.
When asked whether she would push for leniency for the southwest pubs that had been slogged $6672 fines for breaching Public Health directions, Ms Palaszczuk’s office simply stated she doesn’t issue infringement notices.
On the weekend of June 27 and 28, police conducted a blitz across the southwest which resulted in the Injune Hotel, The Commonwealth Hotel and Royal on NinetyNine in Roma and Federal Hotel in Wallumbilla fined $6672 for disobeying COVID-19 public health directions.
Southwest Queensland has not recorded a single case of coronavirus since the pandemic began in March.
“This is a police matter for their consideration without political involvement,” a spokesman for the Premier said.
“Neither the Premier nor any minister issue infringement notices relating to any activity.”
Tony Harris, publican of the Injune Hotel said that’s a “very disappointing response”.
“She can’t palm it off and say it’s not a political matter.
“Was the Brisbane protests a political matter?
“She said she wants local businesses up and running – does she want us to open or not?”
Mr Harris is hoping the Queensland Hotel Association can assist disputing the fine.
“This $6600 is crippling to my business,” he said.
“It will be very hard to continue – to generate that much money on top of a flat line is incredibly difficult, especially at this present time.”
Similarly, the Federal Hotel owner Samantha Senescall fears the fine will bankrupt her business.
“We truly may lose the only pub in town due to this,” Ms Senescall said.
“I financially will not recover from this.
“I not only can’t afford to pay a lawyer, but I can’t afford the $6600 fine – that’s more than I make in a week.”
Both Mr Harris and Ms Senescall said they have struggled to make ends meet for their hotels throughout the past seven years of record-breaking drought, topped off with COVID-19.
“I virtually only stayed open for the last couple of months to service Injune residents,” Mr Harris said.
“It definitely wasn’t financially rewardable that’s for sure. I wasn’t able to keep on staff as they were all backpackers and not eligible for JobKeeper, so I worked around the clock by myself.”
Mr Harris questioned the motives of out-of-town officers who imposed the fines.
“Does the punishment really fit the crime?” he questioned.
“I understand police have a job to do, but surely there’s an aspect of compassion – no respect has been given to us.
“We’re a small town, they could educate us – it’s hard enough trying to keep up with changing restrictions.
“Why did they travel out here, 400km or so to fine us then change the restrictions today?
Ms Senescall said the officers should have approached it differently.
“They could have worked with our businesses out here and ensure they keep us up to date with the ever-changing restrictions,” she said.
“I understand if there were previous breaches, but we were not told.”
Mr Harris said Maranoa MP David Littleproud had contacted him and the QHA had been wonderful in their assistance.
“I’m leaving it up to them for now, I think that’s my best hope,” he said.