The Commonwealth Government has reached an agreement to further boost support for Cairns and Far North Queensland’s tourism and hospitality businesses who continue to face significant hardship due to state government-imposed lockdowns and border closures.
The new package will further support Cairns and Far North Queensland businesses and ensure our major tourism businesses can maintain their staff levels until the end of the year.
The jointly-funded $70 million package includes:
- Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program – $40 million to provide a second round of grants to small, medium, and large employing tourism and hospitality businesses that received an initial grant from round one of the program.
- Iconic Tourism Grants – $30 million for grants of up to $4m to ensure that major tourism enterprises remain viable and are ready to scale up as visitation returns.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said he had been working closely with TTNQ, Cairns Chamber of Commerce, AMPTO and Advance Cairns to secure this funding package for Cairns and Far North Queensland businesses.
“Sadly, the Queensland Labor Government were dragged kicking and screaming to get to this point,” Mr Entsch said.
“However, I, along with TTNQ, Cairns Chamber of Commerce, AMPTO and Advance Cairns were not going to sit on our hands and watch Cairns and Far North Queensland businesses and people’s livelihoods be destroyed.
“This is a very positive outcome for businesses across our city and region and I want to thank those organisations for their leadership and the way they worked positively with me to secure this outcome.”
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said this package comes on top of the more than $30.2 billion in direct economic support the Morrison Government had already provided to Queensland households and businesses since the start of the pandemic.
“The Morrison Government understands the significant impact lockdowns and border closures have had on business, but especially on those in the tourism sector in Queensland,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“This key funding is a part of our joint $600 million commitment with the Queensland Government, for small and medium sized businesses.
“A successful, growing and vibrant Queensland tourism industry depends on all Australians doing the right thing and getting vaccinated.
“Governments must also hold up their end of the bargain and stick to the plan agreed at National Cabinet that will see restrictions ease and our borders open up as we reach our vaccination targets of 70 to 80 per cent.”
Federal Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Dan Tehan said the best thing we can do for our tourism businesses is to get tourists back spending money.
“The Morrison Government’s investment will provide financial support to these iconic Queensland tourism businesses to help ensure the industry is ready to rebound as our nation eases restrictions as our vaccination rates hit key milestones.”
Further information on the program* can be found at www.dtis.qld.gov.au/our-work/tourism-hospitality-sector-hardship-program
*Note: The Queensland Government is responsible for administering this program along with other jointly-funded assistance measures.
