Mr NORTHE (Morwell) — As we get closer to another of the Andrews government’s new public holidays, many businesses within the Morwell electorate again express their dismay at this attack on the business sector. The following quotes are from small business owner-operators in my electorate on their feelings on the grand final parade public holiday:
Five per cent loss of monthly turnover and still having to pay employees for a footy game. I’m disgusted!
I am disgusted! We will close for the day so that we don’t have to pay staff higher rates. We are also on call for our customers, and this will increase costs due to penalty rates.
Cannot afford to open. Will have to close for the day.
It will cost me $1800 in wages for no work return. Basically an $1800 loss.
Forces me to close on the busiest day of our week — a Friday. I am a small business owner with five staff, and I am forced to pay them to have an unnecessary day off.
Remember that the government’s own independent analysis said that the cost of the Premier’s extra public holidays to the state of Victoria would be close to $1 billion. On top of this, the Andrews government has in the Morwell electorate alone cut vital local specific economic development and job-creating programs such as the Latrobe Valley Industry and Infrastructure Fund, Putting Locals First and the Regional Partnership Facilitation Fund. It has also whacked some of our largest employers with an extra $252 million in costs through its electricity tax. It is little wonder businesses in the Morwell electorate feel they are getting a raw deal under the Andrews government.
