Support for Tasmanain Workers

Mr. Speaker, I move - That the House take note of the following matter: supporting Tasmanian businesses and workers. 

When I was elected to this House only three months ago, I took seriously my responsibility to act on behalf of the people of Tasmania. 

I could not be prouder today to be a member of team Labor and see the possibility of the outcome of the great work done, not only by the members elected to this place, but by the teams that support and prepare us for these roles. 

When I was appointed to the position of shadow minister for Small Business, that further cemented my responsibilities to ensure that we provide a voice to the businesses of Tasmania so they are best supported and served by the Tasmanian Parliament. It takes courage for a business under pressure to share their story. 

It takes courage for an operator, a person, a member of a family, to share their circumstances so they can be heard and a difference made.

I acknowledge the many Tasmanians who have reached out, not only to this side of the House, but to all members of parliament and to people who will listen in the community, who have shared their stories so we can advocate and provide a voice for them. 

Last week I shared stories of Mr. Paul Lewis, an independent taxi license holder from Perth. 

On Sunday I picked up the phone and checked in with him because not only does it take courage to raise examples of personal circumstances, but it is a responsibility of ours when we share these stories that we check in with Tasmanians. When I spoke to Mr Lewis, his circumstances had not changed. 

His ability to gain income and support his family had not changed, despite him not only asking for handouts but seeking the support of the department to change allocations on the weekend, when he may have been able to service the many people that arrived in Launceston for the AFL. 

Unfortunately, system changes were not provided to support a Tasmanian who wanted to support for themselves and their family. 

We heard last week of a number of businesses under the $50 000 threshold that were not being provided for. I am grateful that today there has been an acknowledgement of the devastating effects that have occurred to this sector and that by Friday there will be some reprieve and the possibility that they will be able to seek support. 

It is when people are willing to share, when we are willing to be relentless and ask questions and to seek changes, that action can happen and differences can be made. 

The other area that concerned me last week, and where we are seeking to act for workers of Tasmania, is the 100 workers who have been stood down at Launceston and Hobart airports. 

I picked up the phone and reached out on the weekend to a worker to discover that, unlike independent business operators or independent employees who can share their story, they have been gagged by the operators and are not able to share their story. They cannot have people advocating on their behalf. 

It is important for the Government to recognise that we need to secure stable work for Tasmanians across all sectors. I advocated last week for small and micro businesses under $50 000. 

That led to a range of business operators, not only small and micro, but also medium and large iconic Tasmanian businesses sharing the devastating and emotional impacts border closures are having. 

I will share something from a successful business-owner in Launceston, who said: As a result of border restrictions, there is tremendous uncertainty for business and communities and it is damaging people emotionally. 

The level of anxiety in the business community right now is profound. I acknowledge the support that is going to be provided for businesses $25 000 but below $50 000. 

The Acting Premier said that conversations have been held with the Prime Minister to support other levels of businesses in Tasmania. It is essential. At the budget luncheon last week the Premier himself said there is an allocation in the budget to support businesses doing it hard if it is needed. 

It is clear, and has been clear. I am concerned at how misjudged the devastation in Tasmanian businesses has been right now. Support is needed now, so we welcome the increase in them and trust that whatever can be done should be done now for all businesses in Tasmania. 

I also want to take this opportunity to express my concern for how deeply there has been a misjudgment on the impact on our businesses. Right now businesses need - and I think these are the words of the Government itself - clarity and stability. Clarity requires that policies that are released are clear in their intentions.

I want to clarify to the House again that businesses that are doing their payroll tax returns right now are unexpectedly being hit with payroll tax bills. 

There was an understanding that payroll tax was waived from JobKeeper payments but, as it has been reported to us, tax agents and businesses are now being levied with payroll tax bills in an unexpected way at a time when the impacts of operating environments and border closures are already stressful enough. 

Tasmanian Labor and I, as the shadow minister for small business, stand here to support Tasmanian businesses, their workers and the families that they support. We recognise how hard it is right now. 

We understand and feel the impacts across all businesses - micro, small, medium and the iconic Tasmanian businesses that for generations have served not only Tasmania and our communities and our economy but have served to reinforce all that is good about Tasmania and Brand Tasmania. 

Today, team Labor stand to support Tasmanian businesses, workers and their families. 

We call on the Government to do more now. It is critically required so that employees can save their hours and their jobs. At the point where our next season activates businesses will need people in their organisations to be able to service locals and visitors when they arrive. 

We need to do all that we can right now to support Tasmanian businesses, their workers and the families they support.

31st August 2021 - 11:35am

Video - YouTube 

https://youtu.be/InfvSx2c2fY