❓ Mr. Millman asks the Premier about the implications of transitioning to Phase 5 of WA's COVID-19 roadmap for the community and the economy. The Premier outlines the lifting of capacity limits and the expected positive impact on jobs and businesses, while emphasising the need for continued vigilance.
AnsweredQoN 260Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS — WA ROAD MAP — PHASE 5
260. Mr S.A. MILLMAN to the Premier:
I refer to Western Australia's
success in managing the COVID-19 pandemic and stopping the spread of the virus
throughout the state.
(1) Can the Premier outline to the house what the
transition to phase 5 of WA's COVID-19 road map will mean for
the Western Australian community?
(2) Can the
Premier advise the house how this transition will further support the WA
economy and WA jobs?
260. Mr S.A. MILLMAN to the Premier:
I refer to Western Australia's
success in managing the COVID-19 pandemic and stopping the spread of the virus
throughout the state.
(1) Can the Premier outline to the house what the
transition to phase 5 of WA's COVID-19 road map will mean for
the Western Australian community?
(2) Can the
Premier advise the house how this transition will further support the WA
economy and WA jobs?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for Mount Lawley for the question, and congratulate all Western
Australians on the job they have done over the course of the last 18 months in
dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and for
overwhelmingly complying with the rules that we have put in place. As a consequence,
we have had an extraordinarily low spread of the virus, plus one of the
strongest economies in the entire world. We have the lowest unemployment rate
of all the states—the lowest unemployment rate in eight years. We
created over 88 000 new jobs in Western Australia. Jobs are above pre-pandemic
levels. We are the only state that did not go into a recession. We have
recorded the strongest consumer confidence in the country and the strongest
business confidence in the country.
Now,
because of the work of Western Australians, we are ready to go to phase 5 in
our road map out of COVID-19 restrictions. From one minute past midnight
tonight, we are lifting the remainder of the capacity limits on businesses
across Western Australia. That will mean the two-square-metre rule and the 75 per cent capacity limit for hospitality and
entertainment businesses will be removed. There will be no limits on the
size of crowds for major events. However, businesses will be required to
maintain contact registers and to ensure
that COVID safety plans are updated and put in place. We expect people to
continue to maintain good hygiene standards, physical distancing, and
staying at home when they are unwell. Obviously, if we have an outbreak at any
point in time, the state government will have to put measures back in place.
I know that businesses have welcomed
the move to phase 5. I saw the head of the AMA, Bradley Woods, the other day —
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : That is his
next job! I am sure Bradley would be a wonderful doctor! I would like to thank the head of the AHA—Australian Hotels
Association (WA)—Bradley Woods, for his comments. He said that these measures
will create thousands of jobs and employment opportunities across the state. It
has obviously taken a lot of work to get here. I would like to thank businesses
all over the state that have coped with this. I know that we have the strongest retail and hospitality figures
on record, but it has obviously been a difficult period over the c ourse
of the last 18 months. I would like to thank all small businesses and employees
across the state for their forbearance and
understanding over this period. I congratulate all Western Australians. We know
the virus is difficult. We k now that
we have had to do difficult things, but this is part of the reward for doing
difficult things over the last 18 months.
thank the member for Mount Lawley for the question, and congratulate all Western
Australians on the job they have done over the course of the last 18 months in
dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and for
overwhelmingly complying with the rules that we have put in place. As a consequence,
we have had an extraordinarily low spread of the virus, plus one of the
strongest economies in the entire world. We have the lowest unemployment rate
of all the states—the lowest unemployment rate in eight years. We
created over 88 000 new jobs in Western Australia. Jobs are above pre-pandemic
levels. We are the only state that did not go into a recession. We have
recorded the strongest consumer confidence in the country and the strongest
business confidence in the country.
Now,
because of the work of Western Australians, we are ready to go to phase 5 in
our road map out of COVID-19 restrictions. From one minute past midnight
tonight, we are lifting the remainder of the capacity limits on businesses
across Western Australia. That will mean the two-square-metre rule and the 75 per cent capacity limit for hospitality and
entertainment businesses will be removed. There will be no limits on the
size of crowds for major events. However, businesses will be required to
maintain contact registers and to ensure
that COVID safety plans are updated and put in place. We expect people to
continue to maintain good hygiene standards, physical distancing, and
staying at home when they are unwell. Obviously, if we have an outbreak at any
point in time, the state government will have to put measures back in place.
I know that businesses have welcomed
the move to phase 5. I saw the head of the AMA, Bradley Woods, the other day —
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : That is his
next job! I am sure Bradley would be a wonderful doctor! I would like to thank the head of the AHA—Australian Hotels
Association (WA)—Bradley Woods, for his comments. He said that these measures
will create thousands of jobs and employment opportunities across the state. It
has obviously taken a lot of work to get here. I would like to thank businesses
all over the state that have coped with this. I know that we have the strongest retail and hospitality figures
on record, but it has obviously been a difficult period over the c ourse
of the last 18 months. I would like to thank all small businesses and employees
across the state for their forbearance and
understanding over this period. I congratulate all Western Australians. We know
the virus is difficult. We k now that
we have had to do difficult things, but this is part of the reward for doing
difficult things over the last 18 months.
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