Economic recovery group to tackle impacts of Coronavirus

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today condemned the Morrison Government’s refusal to assist Queenslanders with disaster relief funding through the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The Premier, speaking after a Roundtable Industry Forum to update industry and business leaders on the coronavirus, said she had written to the Prime Minister to request usual disaster funding arrangements be activated for those impacted by the international health crisis.

“The Prime Minister has today refused to help Queensland farmers, universities and businesses,” she said.

“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.

 “Co-funding disaster relief is standard practice.  Together, the Queensland and Federal Governments have provided $15.7 billion to Queenslanders since 2011.  Why is this disaster any different?

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

The Premier said the Queensland Government’s Economic Functional Recovery Group (EFRG) will be immediately convened to assist local government, business and industry implement response actions to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus.

“Today, a Roundtable Industry Forum was held at Parliament House to update Queensland industry leaders on the coronavirus, and to hear firsthand from those sectors how Government could assist,” she said.

“The scale and scope of economic impacts from this event will become clearer over coming days as we continue to speak with industry.

“The impact on tourism will be significant with travel restrictions now in place from mainland China and tourists from other areas unwilling to fly due to the perceived risks.

The Premier said that international student education services have also been impacted with students unable to travel to Australia for the start of the school and university year.

“There will also be implications for food and agricultural exports to China with imports expected to be affected with all shipping crews having to be medically cleared prior to the pilots boarding ships.”

Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said the first meeting of the EFRG would be held tomorrow 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 said.

“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.”

Minister for Tourism Kate Jones said the coronavirus would have a devastating impact on tourism in Queensland.

“One in 10 Queenslanders is employed in the tourism industry. Coronavirus poses a huge threat to this sector. That’s why we’re working closely with key industry players to safeguard these jobs,” she said.

“Already we’ve actioned a domestic marketing campaign to give a shot-in-the-arm to local operators. We’re working with the Federal Government on a wider tourism package to support Queensland businesses in the months ahead.”

Standing Members of the Economic Functional Recovery Group are:

Government members

Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Department of Employment, Small Business and Training

Department of Jobs and Small Business (Federal

Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy

Department of Innovation, Tourism Industry Development and the Commonwealth Games

Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs

Department of Transport and Main Roads

Queensland Treasury

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

Queensland Police Service

Queensland Reconstruction Authority

Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority

Tourism and Events Queensland

Non-Government members

AgForce Queensland

Australian Bankers Association

Australian Industry Group

Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association

Aurizon

Certified Practicing Accountants (CPA) Australia

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

Energy Queensland

GasFields Commission Queensland

GIVIT

Insurance Council of Australia

Local Government Association of Queensland

National Retail Association

North Queensland Bulk Ports

Queensland Farmers Federation

Queensland Resources Council

Queensland Sugar

Queensland Tourism Industry Council

Queensland Trucking Association

Institute of Chartered Accountants

Telstra

Ports Corporation (Qld-wide)

ENDS

Media contact: Shane Doherty 0439624473