Paul Jubb Tasmanian Hospitality Association President
The industry has shown unprecedented strength and resilience over the past year and we continue to battle new and unknown challenges. The usual ‘peak’ season of summer was more a molehill than a mountain for many industry operators and the road out is still long and uncertain. The continued shutdowns across the country dispro- portionately impact our industry and compound on the adversities of the last 12 months. While the in- dustry is resilient, we’re not invincible. The end of JobKeeper in March will be devastating for many businesses who rely on the support to feasibly operate and keep Tasmanians employed. It’s still a very uncer- tain time and hospitality is still subject to some of the harshest capacity restrictions that hamper our trading ability and overall viability. The need for further support is inevitable. Our na- tional counterparts are leading a push urging the Fed- eral Government to consider a temporary suspension of Fringe Benefit Taxes (FBT) for meal entertainment excluding alcohol. Restaurants and cafes in CBD are- as are among the worst affected with many workers, particularly public servants, still working from home despite months without a case of COVID-19 through community transmission. It’s these behavioural and societal changes that are significantly contributing to a sustained downturn for many hospitality opera-
tors and detracting from the social and mental health benefits of seeing and reuniting with colleagues and friends. I think we can all agree that while Zoom meetings have been crucial in the continuity of work- places and the economy, it doesn’t compare to a face to face meeting, especially over a meal. We need to get people out of their homes and back into the CBD, the office spaces and the restaurants and cafes they frequent for lunch or dinner. The THA supports the proposal of a short to medium term stimulus through relieving the Fringe Benefit Tax, making it more affordable for workers to hold a lunch meeting or a celebration dinner for staff. A new report prepared for the AHA*, estimates a FTB suspension would result in more than $300 million stimulus to the sector in Australia next financial year. The THA has been fighting for a support mechanism through alleviating FBT for almost two decades and it’s now more important than ever. We need to re-evaluate the balance between the per- ceived health risk of bringing the workforce back to the office and the benefit to the economy, and to the hospitality sector. Venues have always been a place to meet, to reunite and catch up with others, and now that connection is more important than ever, not only for our social wellbeing but for the wellbeing and re- covery of the industry for the future.
Images Supplied by O & M St John Photography
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