Mr NORTHE (Morwell): My constituency question is to the Minister for Small Business. Minister, what is the latest information regarding the easing of COVID-19 restrictions including social distancing rules that are having a significant impact upon the business community? Many business owners and managers of function centres, cafes, restaurants, entertainment venues, wedding and funeral related services, clubs, pubs and more, have expressed rising tension and frustration at the inconsistency of the many restrictions that apply. One example, is that there is a perception that from 21 June, restaurants and café’s will benefit greatly from an increase of patrons to 50. However nothing will change for many, and this is due to the size of one’s establishment and where they are already at capacity albeit limited capacity, when the 1 person per 4 square metre rule is applied. Subsequently many business owners asked that I raise these same issues in Parliament and request the State Government undertake an urgent review of the current restrictions in place and provide Victorian businesses with a real plan moving forward.
