MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster concedes little joy has been expressed in the Mallee over the Federal Government’s $1.2 billion tourism and aviation recovery package.
The Mildura Airport was not included in the government’s initial rollout of destinations included in the scheme, prompting Dr Webster to tell Federal Parliament this week that the tourism and accommodation sector in Mallee needs further support.
Dr Webster said the package would undoubtedly assist many regions to keep going and assist some to build a bridge back to business as usual.
“Recovery from COVID for many in the tourism and accommodation sector is challenging, to say the least, while international borders remain closed,” Dr Webster said.
“There are several businesses in my electorate Mallee, that are struggling and, sadly, some have had to close their doors,” she said.
“While travel agents are among the hardest hit, accommodation businesses are also feeling the pain.”
Dr Webster, however, said there was no easy fix to the situation and the JobKeeper program, which finishes on March 28, was a lifeline for many businesses.
“If you’re thinking of making the most of the half-price airfares, I urge you to engage a local travel agent to support them at this difficult time,” she said.
“While the package is welcome for some, I have to say that, in my region of Mallee, there is little joy being expressed.”
Dr Webster said core businesses had been decimated by international border closures and once JobKeeper finishes, there will be no funds to support employees.
“I’ve taken these issues to the minister and asked him to consider other possibilities to assist these vital businesses,” she said.
“I’m actively lobbying for Mildura Airport to be considered a destination for the half-price airfares.
“Mildura is home to one of the largest regional airports in the country, and the board of management have been regularly communicating with me throughout this pandemic.”
The Mallee MP said that due to the airport’s organisational structure and association with the local council, it had missed out on key government support, including JobKeeper.
“I’ve been fighting hard to secure special-circumstances funding for the airport, and I know the Deputy Prime Minister (Michael McCormack) has been doing a lot of work in the background to support this push,” she said.
“The tourism and accommodation sector in Mallee needs further support, whether that’s through the inclusion of Mildura in the new tourism and aviation recovery package, an extension of wage subsidies currently supporting the industry or a subsequent round of the COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program.
“I’ll continue fighting in the hope that we can further support tourism and accommodation businesses in Mallee.”
