Acting Premier Jeremy Rockliff's posturing around his negotiations with the Prime Minister on assistance for COVID-affected Tasmanian businesses has been exposed as a cruel hoax.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said a letter to Scott Morrison tabled today by Mr Rockliff in State Parliament revealed he had utterly failed to act for Tasmanian businesses that are facing economic disaster, Tasmanians who have lost their jobs and more Tasmanians who are in danger of losing their jobs
"Mr Rockliff should be picking up the phone, calling his mates in Canberra including Mr Morrison and demanding that they front up and provide relief to thousands in the tourism and hospitality industry who are facing an extraordinarily difficult time," Ms White said.
"What he has done instead - and what he has been posturing about for the past two days - is pitiful.
"He has written his colleague the Prime Minister what amounts to a congratulatory letter in which he very kindly asks him if he would consider an extension to COVID-19 Disaster Payments.
"That's it. No effort to demand Mr Morrison act on the dire circumstances of those businesses which have been badly affected by interstate border closures.
"No effort to describe that dire situation to Mr Morrison.
"No effort to do the right thing and try to save businesses and hundreds of jobs.
"It's no surprise the Prime Minister hasn't replied when the Acting Premier hasn't explained how urgent the situation is.
"A genuine effort to lobby Canberra for funding to help save Tasmanian jobs and businesses is long overdue and Mr Rockliff must act before it is too late because, given the known relationship between the Prime Minister and Peter Gutwein, his advocacy may be Tasmania's only hope.
"Border closures have kept COVID-19 out of Tasmania but those closures have created very difficult conditions for our businesses and workers.
"Tourism and tourism-exposed businesses are telling us that things are worse now than they were in 2020, but they have access to almost no support - and it appears they will not get any due to the missing-in-action efforts of the Tasmanian Liberal Government."
Rebecca White MP
Labor Leader
