‘RIDICULOUS’ STATE STILL A CLOSED SHOP: BUSINESSES
SOME of the Gold Coast business owners who met with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk first-hand to explain their pain say little has been done since to improve their plight.
Duffy Down Under Boat Hire owner Gordon Kerr said the Government was “delusional’’ to argue the border closures had no impact on business.
“It is the same for everyone here in the tourism sector. We are basically all still at a halt compared to other industries,” Mr Kerr said.
“When I had the meeting with the Premier, it was a very good, straightforward meeting and we discussed a lot of initiatives.
“She did make sound arguments as to why the borders should be closed.
“However, I feel after the weekend (Black Lives Matter) protests, there was a mockery made of all the restrictions. If that could take place safely, why can we not start opening up?
“When it comes to the domestic market, there simply isn’t enough money going around. We need to open up to holiday makers from NSW and Victoria.”
Dreamweavers events management chief operating officer John Bond said it “seems ridiculous other states appear to be getting on with business and Queensland isn’t”.
“We’ve been decimated. Our business has gone to zero revenue.
“What we need to do is create some confidence in the market and one thing I raised with the Premier is we cannot have New Zealand opened before Queensland.”
Mr Bond said the Premier “was in a difficult position” a fortnight ago, but borders should have reopened by now.
QT Gold Coast general manager Steve Oakley said: “I think now as an operator it feels like Queensland is out of the woods and we just want to see the borders open.”
“I think the Premier is doing absolutely all the right things in the sense she’s looking after her state, but then you put on your commercial business hat and go ‘we need these people to come through’ and Australia has to hum along as one.”
Mr Oakley said conferences and events had been “wiped off the books” but the drive and leisure market had eased the pressure to some degree.
The trio met the Premier on the Gold Coast two weeks ago when she visited for the day.