FEDERAL Member for Mallee Anne Webster has questioned why the Victorian Government has again shifted the goal posts on patron limits for struggling hospitality businesses.
Most Sunraysia pubs and clubs have kept their doors shut despite regional Victoria being released from lockdown, with patron limits of 10 people indoors and 20 outdoors making it unviable for them to open.
“I have been inundated with calls from businesses asking how are we supposed to make this work,” Dr Webster said yesterday.
“They are choosing not to open and they also don’t know whether they can still access business support. It is really problematic.
“How are businesses supposed to manage their staff, their orders, with only 10 people allowed in?
“And where is the health advice from the Victorian Government that has suddenly shifted from the four metre square rule to 10 people no matter what the size of your premises is?”
Dr Webster said the risk of such “mixed messaging” from the government was that compliance would drop.
“I think that our community and our businesses have done an extraordinary job toeing the line and complying with all restrictions,” she said.
“But there needs to be rationale connection and a reason for them to comply.
“I don’t blame people for being confused. The Premier gives his morning presser and the information is not conclusive so you go to the government website to find out and it is still unclear.
“People are willing to comply if there is a reason, but frequently we are not given the reasons for these rules and that is where are problems.”
Dr Webster also said the Victorian Government also needed to outline when people would be again allowed to have their families in their homes.
“That is a fundamental fabric of our society and to keep that going on an ongoing basis is very stressful,” she said.
