Tuesday 5 May, 2020
The LNP is demanding the Palaszczuk Labor Government provide more help for struggling Whitsundays businesses after it promised a $5.3m coronavirus support package for Cairns.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington and LNP Candidate for Whitsunday Amanda Camm said Labor’s decision to restrict the relief package to Cairns was blatant pork-barrelling.
“Politics should play absolutely no part in determining where relief funding goes at a time like this,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The Whitsundays is just as reliant on tourism as Cairns and it deserves the same level of support.
“Labor should be trying to save the jobs of every Queenslander, regardless of whether they live in Cairns or Airlie Beach.
“It’s plainly wrong that Queensland-owned businesses in the Whitsundays have been forgotten, but foreign-owned firms in Cairns are getting taxpayer support.”
The Palaszczuk Labor Government announced a $3m package to support operators based at Cairns Marina in February and last week announced a further $2.3m of support for Cairns port businesses in the tourism, seafood and resources sectors.
Ms Camm said Whitsundays businesses were desperate for financial support.
“All I am asking for is a level playing field for the Whitsundays,” Ms Camm said.
“Every business in the Whitsundays pays the same taxes as businesses in Cairns, so we should all get the same support.
“Queensland taxpayers’ money should be supporting Queensland businesses, not foreign billionaires.
“Labor needs to listen to the Whitsundays and start supporting jobs in this region.”
