Special exemption overcomes Jobkeeper ‘quirk’ Pub workers get aid

FOUR Townsville pubs now have access to Jobkeeper payments after a “quirk” in liquor licensing laws meant more than 1400 pub workers in the state were ineligible.

Staff at The Hotel Allen, The Royal Hotel, the Mansfield Hotel and Tom’s Tavern were not originally eligible for the payment because of a joint venture between the pubs’ parent company, Australian Venue Company, and Coles.

But yesterday Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced an exemption.

LNP Senator Amanda Stoker had been working with AVC CEO Paul Waterson and Mr Frydenberg to get the necessary exemptions.

“I’m delighted to see these workers are getting the support they need,” she said.

“When pub workers told me that a quirk of Queensland law would mean over 1400 pub workers across the state would be out of work and without access to Jobkeeper, I went straight to the Treasurer – and he has been relentless in working with Paul and I to ensure these Queenslanders get the hand they need.”

This announcement comes as Townsville received a visit from chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young and Queensland Deputy Premier Stephen Miles.

As some Townsville restaurants and businesses prepared to reopen today, Dr Young reaffirmed her position that Townsville could not isolate and reopen due to the region’s dependence on the city.

“You can’t totally relieve all the restrictions anywhere until we’ve had no cases across the entire country and we have no one coming home from overseas,” Dr Young said.

“It’s a difficult message that I can understand people querying but it is so important that we continue to manage this disease.

“We can slowly remove those restrictions but we will have to be cautious and there are some things we’re going to have to have in place for a long time.”

She said because there were still people in quarantine, there could be an active case tomorrow.

Dr Young said the new case at a Rockhampton aged care facility reported late on Thursday night was proof North

Queensland could not reopen faster because a case could spring up at any moment.

“(Closing down) would mitigate it, but it would be absolutely terrible,” she said.

“You are such a big city … you imagine locking down your city and not letting anyone one in or out, the harm that would do to the outlying communities that are dependent on you.

“I don’t think that ible.”

The last reported case of coronavirus in Townsville was in early April. There have been only 24 cases to date. is poss