Lead us, pleads ART

AUSTRALIAN Regional Tourism (ART) has called out Australia’s “piecemeal response” to COVID-19 restrictions, saying the failure of state and territory governments to successfully collaborate on a coordinated response and lack of a national strategy is crippling the nation.

ART Chair Coralie Bell said “small business remains at the front line of this ongoing debacle,” highlighting the inability of jurisdictions to put aside egos and work across borders for the greater good of Australia.

“If we can’t even get our own backyards straight, how are we ever to return to a place where international visitors feel confident to travel?” she said.