Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
The Premier can rabbit on about ‘business Covid safety plans’ all he likes, but they’re clearly as useful as his ‘plan’ he told Tasmanians made the State Covid-ready before he invited the virus in.
Every day the Covid outbreak is allowed to rage is another day of sickness in our community, local businesses having to shut their doors and casual workers losing income.
While hospitality businesses are some of the most exposed by the Gutwein Government’s decisions, tourism businesses are suffering too.
Tourism operators are angry at being told to ‘keep their heads’ by the Premier. Tassie Bound Adventure Tours have been forced to cancel adventure tours at what should be their busiest time of year.
Cascading business closures during peak summer season are the result of a series of political decisions made by Peter Gutwein. His patronising comments about remaining calm as a deadly virus infects unchecked are patronising and out of touch.
Markets and events around Tasmania are also cancelling their plans because of Peter Gutwein’s decision to let Covid rip on the island.
A Summer favourite, the Hobart Twilight Market, is one of the latest casualties. It’s a devastating fact that there will be more closures and job losses.
Like the Tasmanian people, businesses are being left to fend for themselves.
If the Gutwein Government doesn’t move to flatten the curve and prevent infection soon, thousands more people will get sick, frightened locals will stay at home and the economy will continue to tank.
Peter Gutwein has to reset now. If he refuses, more Tasmanians will get sick with this debilitating virus, and business confidence will be smashed to smithereens.