❓ Mr. Redman asks the Minister for Racing and Gaming to review restaurant restrictions before the WA Day long weekend to boost tourism in the South West and Great Southern. The Minister acknowledges the request, highlighting ongoing work and the need to balance economic recovery with public health.
AnsweredQoN 281Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS — HOSPITALITY
RESTRICTIONS
281. Mr D.T. REDMAN to the Minister
for Racing and Gaming:
I have a supplementary question. Will the
minister consider reviewing this and other restaurant settings with appropriate
social distancing and hygiene in place prior to the June Western Australia Day
long weekend so tourists can get the full taste of the south west and great
southern?
The SPEAKER :
Oh—lucky you put the great southern in there!
RESTRICTIONS
281. Mr D.T. REDMAN to the Minister
for Racing and Gaming:
I have a supplementary question. Will the
minister consider reviewing this and other restaurant settings with appropriate
social distancing and hygiene in place prior to the June Western Australia Day
long weekend so tourists can get the full taste of the south west and great
southern?
The SPEAKER :
Oh—lucky you put the great southern in there!
AnswerView source ↗
Thank you, member. The work being done on
further phases and further opportunities is ongoing. As I indicated, we put the
representatives of the industry body in contact directly with those who are
advising the government on what measures might look like. It will always be
subject to what happens in the meantime and how effective our measures are and whether we can retain those hard
borders that have been so effective. If we retain capacity—which is as good as anything in the world for contact tracing to ensure that if any
outbreaks occur, they are isolated and identified—that
enables more flexibility as time goes on. It is a mitigation of the risk. We
analyse how we are going , and we adjust accordingly. The Premier has
articulated a pathway but has indicated that in the event that things are more
effective and are going better than we might have hoped for, there may be means
to adjust timings. But I cannot guarantee a date or anything of that nature
because to do so would just be irresponsible, member.
Mr D.T. Redman : But the government's been pretty responsive to —
The SPEAKER :
Member, you had two goes and you are still not happy.
Mr D.T. Redman : — which has actually been good. I'd just encourage
you, before the long weekend, that this might be another —
Mr P. PAPALIA :
Do not worry. I am Minister for Tourism, I am the Minister for Small Business,
and I am responsible for liquor licensing. I am on the side of getting as much
open as possible as soon as possible. I remind everyone that we are leading the nation. People in New South Wales or
Queensland are excited to have the opportunity to go to a restaurant or
a cafe with 10 people, if they are lucky. People in South Australia are excited
because they are allowed to eat outside with 10 people maximum. People in
Victoria are just excited because they can talk to their family members five at
a time. But here in Western Australia, we have the most generous and
progressive lifting of restrictions because we have been the most successful
state in the country. People should remember that. I know everyone is anxious
and impatient because it has been hard and tough and everyone is aware of how
much of an impact this has had on businesses around the state. We know that
everyone would like more, but the last thing we want to do is jeopardise all we
have gained by opening up too quickly.
further phases and further opportunities is ongoing. As I indicated, we put the
representatives of the industry body in contact directly with those who are
advising the government on what measures might look like. It will always be
subject to what happens in the meantime and how effective our measures are and whether we can retain those hard
borders that have been so effective. If we retain capacity—which is as good as anything in the world for contact tracing to ensure that if any
outbreaks occur, they are isolated and identified—that
enables more flexibility as time goes on. It is a mitigation of the risk. We
analyse how we are going , and we adjust accordingly. The Premier has
articulated a pathway but has indicated that in the event that things are more
effective and are going better than we might have hoped for, there may be means
to adjust timings. But I cannot guarantee a date or anything of that nature
because to do so would just be irresponsible, member.
Mr D.T. Redman : But the government's been pretty responsive to —
The SPEAKER :
Member, you had two goes and you are still not happy.
Mr D.T. Redman : — which has actually been good. I'd just encourage
you, before the long weekend, that this might be another —
Mr P. PAPALIA :
Do not worry. I am Minister for Tourism, I am the Minister for Small Business,
and I am responsible for liquor licensing. I am on the side of getting as much
open as possible as soon as possible. I remind everyone that we are leading the nation. People in New South Wales or
Queensland are excited to have the opportunity to go to a restaurant or
a cafe with 10 people, if they are lucky. People in South Australia are excited
because they are allowed to eat outside with 10 people maximum. People in
Victoria are just excited because they can talk to their family members five at
a time. But here in Western Australia, we have the most generous and
progressive lifting of restrictions because we have been the most successful
state in the country. People should remember that. I know everyone is anxious
and impatient because it has been hard and tough and everyone is aware of how
much of an impact this has had on businesses around the state. We know that
everyone would like more, but the last thing we want to do is jeopardise all we
have gained by opening up too quickly.
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