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Palaszczuk hears Queensland industry coronavirus concerns

QTA brings trucking perspective to industry roundtable

 

The Queensland government has heard business fears on the potential impacts of coronavirus, alongside other disasters, with the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) representing trucking on the matter.

The Economic Functional Recovery Group (EFRG) has been convened to assist local government, business and industry implement response actions to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus, such as tourism downturns.

Queensland Minister for State Development Cameron Dick says the first meeting would be used to discuss the impacts on industry and gather intelligence on the effects of the virus outbreak.

“As the lead agency for economic recovery my Department will play a key role in assisting local government, business and industry with resilience and recovery strategies to deal with the impacts of the coronavirus,” he says in a statement.

“Director General Rachel Hunter will chair the group and provide strategic advice to the Queensland Government and stakeholders.”

“The group will coordinate input from relevant departments, local government and industry bodies to develop longer-term recovery plans.”

The Queensland Trucking Association (QTA), listed as one of the industry representatives, confirmed to ATN its presence at the roundtable, fronted by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

“Like many other sectors, the road freight industry is made up of small to medium businesses run by families and employing families. 

“With 85 per cent of road freight being moved within Queensland, the impact on the downtown of the tourism industry will filter down to the road freight industry and affect freight volumes from everything from aviation fuel through to micro green salad supplies. 

“Our priority is to support our members and we will be seeking input to understand the challenges they are experiencing. 

“The QTA will participate in the Economic Functional Recovery Group with other industry sectors and work with government on immediate, short and long term solutions to ensure the viability of the industry.”


Industry has been lobbying the federal government on bushfire impact concerns


In the government statement, Palaszczuk notes the Morrison Government is currently not assisting with disaster relief funding through the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

“We have put in a reasonable request to ask for help in sharing the cost of this disaster, and helping our businesses and communities across the state, and the Morrison Government has said ‘no’.

“The impact of this health crisis will be felt across multiple sectors, from hotel beds and airlines, to agriculture, education, trade and retail.

“We will deal with this crisis in the same resilient way we deal with any natural disaster, be it flooding, cyclones or bushfires.”

Rail freight Aurizon is also listed as an EFRG member.

 

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