PRESIDENT UPDATE
Paul Jubb - THA President
The core role of the Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) is to support hospitality operators and venues, to advocate for the best interests of the hospitality industry and secure investment and support for the State’s restaurants, cafes, pubs, nightclubs, hotels and accommodation providers. The team have done that tirelessly, especially over the last 12 months in which the industry has been disproportionately and detrimentally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s safe to say the hospitality industry will need ongoing assistance well into the future, not only from the THA but in the form of stimulus and support from Governments, both State and Federal. So, as president of the THA board, it was quite bemusing to hear the uproar around thememorandum of understanding with the Tasmanian Labor Party. The MOU simply puts pen to paper on a number of commitments that Labor have made to support the industry and affirms their intent to follow through on them should they win the election on May 1. In fact there’s 21 ‘points’ in the fairly brief, not-so-secret MOU, and yes gaming is among them, given it forms part of the hospitality industry. But that’s just where media, opposition parties and at times the public get so caught up, gaming is one part of a very broad, diverse and essential industry in Tasmania’s economy and community. Labor has reaffirmed, through this MOU, its commitment to support the owner-operator poker machine model, getting rid of the policy they took to the 2018 election once and for all. But Labor has also committed to ensure the prosperity of other, arguably more important, areas of the hospitality sector such as workforce development, mental health support and reducing casualisation. Labor has committed to “work together to improve access to mental health support for operators and workers” and “ensure the industry provides secure, meaningful and safe employment for all workers and “the Labor Party will have a portfolio for hospitality”,
among many other positive, ongoing pledges to the sector. They’re similar commitments to those made by the current Tasmanian Liberal party through their 2018 election policy for the industry – that is, normal correspondence and collaboration between the peak body representing a major industry which employs 22,000 Tasmanians and the State’s policy makers. The THA have strong working relationships with the hospitality minister and her office, and we will continue towork closelywith the relevant department, regardless of the outcome of the State Election next month. The MOU isn’t a ‘dirty deal’ or ‘secret agreement’, it’s a commitment to valuing the hospitality sector. It’s an ‘Understanding’ the THA is pleased to have reached and the board approved. We have MOU’s with other organisations to help our members too. What’s no secret is that the THA and Labor weren’t the best of friends during the last state election campaign but we are friends now and the THA shares a strong relationship with both major parties, but the vitality of the hospitality sector after such a difficult year is the priority in forming this MOU. The survival of hospitality venues, the well-being of operators, and the quality and prosperity of the industry has and should always have bipartisan support and the THA and its board are proud to foster that. Our members are our number 1 priority! On a sad note to finish, I’d like to pay our sincere condolences to the family of AHA Life Member Colin (Col) Waller. Col was the proprietor of the Shoalhaven Heads Hotel, a Life Member of the AHA, and former Secretary/ Treasurer of AHA NSW and National. Col was a great friend to many people and his wise counsel was always sought by many in the industry. Col leaves behind his partner Robbie and son Andy. He was a great friend of the THA and will be sadly missed. Rest in peace Col!
THA HOSPITALITY—REVIEW: APRIL 2021 | 4
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