Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

Port Douglas is the clear loser of political in-fighting between the Federal and State Governments over the levels of support being afforded due to lockdowns and lockouts.

And while more tourism and hospitality businesses are forced to shut their doors or reduce their hours, the state MP for Cook – Douglas Shire is part of the electorate – Cynthia Lui has been ‘missing in action’ during this worsening crisis.

Contact with Ms Lui’s office has gone unattended and a letter from the Federal Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, to the state premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and treasurer Cameron Dick, on Friday 20 August, also did not reveal any solutions in the latter’s reply.

In his letter, which was released to Newsport, Entsch writes: “The Commonwealth Government stands ready to work with the Queensland Government to continue to support tourism businesses in Queensland affected by lockdowns and lockouts.

“It is my view that there is an immediate need for direct business support for businesses in Cairns and Far North Queensland.

“I am strongly encouraging you to submit a further proposal to the Commonwealth Government for funding acknowledging this need.

“My real fear is that if an agreement isn’t reached soon, there won’t be too much of a Cairns and FNQ tourism, accommodation and hospitality sector left when we finally put lockdown and lockouts behind us.”

Dick’s response

Minister Dick’s response, also released to Newsport, and dated 21 August, outraged Entsch who referred to it as a request to “blow up government”.

Dick wrote: “The Morrison Liberal Government holds government by the slimmest possible majority, holding only 76 seats in the 151-seat House of Representatives.

“This means a single backbencher has the power to force the Federal Government to change. Warren, this places you in a position of incredible influence.

“It gives you the power to tell the Prime Minister and your colleagues in the Federal Government that they should bring back JobKeeper, and to advise your colleagues that if they do not restore JobKeeper, you will cross the floor and vote against the Government.

“I am certain that a powerful intervention such as this from you would persuade the Federal Government to change its position, and save many businesses.”

In what is now becoming a popular cry, Dick, along with many beleaguered businesses, has called for the reinstatement of JobKeeper.

“The Palaszczuk Labor Government shares your concern for businesses affected by interstate lockdowns. While we were pleased recently to jointly invest with the Federal Liberal Morrison Government in a $600 million business support program, it is no substitute for the ongoing income support that was offered by JobKeeper.

“That is why our Government has repeatedly called on the Federal Government to reinstate the JobKeeper program, particularly to support tourism-dependent economies like Far North Queensland.

“To date, our calls have fallen on deaf ears. Not only has the Federal Government ignored our request to bring back JobKeeper, they have also ignored similar requests from other states, including the Berejiklian Liberal Government in New South Wales,” said Dick.

Lui
Entsch, meanwhile, said Lui needs to be brought into account. “We have not heard from her. She should be serving her electorate, but that’s not happening and it’s not good enough,” said Entsch.

Tony Fyfe, CEO of Hemingway’s Brewery – he has outlets in Port Douglas and Cairns – would also like to see the return of JobKeeper.

“If we don’t receive any subsidies, our businesses will implode. I was shocked when I saw how many hospitality businesses were closed for lunch on Sunday on Macrossan Street.

“I am calling for the return of JobKeeper. Instead, I am hearing nothing with no one willing to do anything,” said Fyfe, whose properties are now only open for five days.