Labor Leader and Shadow Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events REBECCAWHITE
EDITORIAL
Businesses andworkers facingmore uncertainty under chaotic Liberal government When Peter Gutwein went to the polls a year early, he promised Tasmanians he would lead a strong and stable government. Now, less than a year later, the government has imploded, with the sudden resignation of the Premier himself – and the business of governing the state on hold as the Liberals try to sort out their own mess. Mr Gutwein’s decision to quit 11 months after the election follows the resignations of Adam Brooks and Sarah Courtney, along with multiple Cabinet reshuffles after Ms Courtney’s departure and Jane Howlett’s resignation as Minister. As if it wasn’t bad enough that the return of Covid had already caused months of disruption to businesses around the state, they are now facing more chaos, with next week’s Parliamentary sittings cancelled as the Liberals focus on their own turmoil. With the recent rise in Covid cases affecting staff and customers alike, what tourism and hospitality operators need right now is support and confidence. But what they’re getting instead is ongoing uncertainty, more instability and a government focused solely on itself. We are now faced with the extraordinary situation of the third Liberal Premier in less than three years, with the same factional infighting we witnessed two years ago as Ministers jockey for the top job.
And, whoever ends up being the next Premier, those internal divisions will remain – meaning Tasmanian businesses and our economy will continue to come second best to the Liberal Party’s navel gazing. Even with the experience of Peter Gutwein, the Liberals have failed to deliver the basics for Tasmania, leaving the economy faltering, businesses suffering a downturn and workers and families struggling. But his departure means Tasmania’s future is now in the hands of tired, out of touch MPs and newer members with barely any experience. And as Treasurer for the past eight years, Mr Gutwein also takes that experience out the door with him, which leaves an even bigger question mark over the state’s economic management. This is not the stable government Tasmanians were promised. It is a rabble and Tasmanian businesses, workers and families are all paying the price. We know that for Tasmania to thrive we need to solve basic economic problems that are holding us back. But there is little chance of that when the government can’t even manage itself. We know the kind of future we are capable of building for our state, but in order to achieve that, Tasmania needs a government with focus, commitment and vision. With not a hint of any of that from the Liberals, it’s likely the government will keep lurching from problem to problem at our state’s expense.
15
Hospitality Review: April 2022
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator