United to put gold back in the Coast

THIS is one of those marked moments in time as a direct result of the three Gold Coast federal MPs stepping up, standing up, and ensuring our united voices are heard.

The $600m business and tourism support package announced by the Treasurer is the realisation of weeks of our advocacy on behalf of key industries in line with the current flow-on effects of the state lockdowns.

I would like to extend my thanks to industry leaders and in particular the City Heart Taskforce executive members who provided valuable insights and key pillar reports that I delivered directly to the Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister.

My subsequent letter calling for urgent assistance measures to the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Treasurer and Tourism Minister, helped to underpin the reasoning for the support package that has been announced by the Treasurer.

Our city voices have been heard loud and clear in Parliament House. This is a direct result of so many of us working to achieve an outcome when it counts the most for our city.

This package gives so many the chance to keep their doors open, their businesses operating, their staff employed and their hopes intact. On behalf of Moncrieff, I thank the Treasurer, the Prime Minister and Cabinet for their rapid response to our calls for help.

I encourage everyone to get vaccinated at the earliest opportunity so that we can open our borders as soon as possible.

In conjunction with these initiatives announced, it is imperative that we all do our part to get vaccinated so that we can move to Phase B of the Prime Minister’s National Plan when

70 per cent of those over 16 are vaccinated.

This support at this time means we can lift our head, look to the horizon, and work towards better times ahead.