The Nationals WA have called on the State Government to amend the scope of its tourism assistance package amid fears many struggling businesses would not qualify for much-needed support dollars. Leader Mia Davies welcomed the announcement of the Tourism Recovery Program but was concerned many small businesses struggling under the impacts of COVID-19 were ineligible.…
The Nationals WA have criticised the State Government for backing away from a commitment to reform the toilet tax which is costing small businesses thousands of dollars each month. Leader Mia Davies said recent comments by Water Minister Dave Kelly that water bill relief was not being considered would be another blow to regional operators…
Member for North West Central Vince Catania is concerned the Labor Government doesn’t have the resources to stop the spread of a new pest that threatens the Gascoyne’s key agricultural industries. Mr Catania said sightings of the fall armyworm in the region was a major worry for the region’s fruit and vegetable growers, already struggling…
The State Government has turned its back on the tourism industry at a time of crisis, with no blueprint on how it can help the sector during the COVID-19 crisis, according to The Nationals WA MP Vince Catania. With tourism businesses across the State closed because of coronavirus restrictions, Mr Catania says there is no…
Regional WA’s tourism sector is on life support and requires urgent Federal and State Government intervention to survive, according to The Nationals WA. Leader Mia Davies said COVID-19 had devastated the State’s tourism sector, costing thousands of jobs and wiping billions of dollars from the WA economy. “Travel restrictions, while necessary to prevent the spread…
The Nationals WA have raised concerns around the State Government’s ability to monitor and contain a re-emergence of Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) after several detections in Perth in the past month. Agriculture spokesperson Colin de Grussa said Qfly was an incredibly serious biosecurity threat to Western Australia, due to their ability to attack a wide…
The Nationals WA have welcomed the announcement of Federal funding to underpin regional flight schedules but say more will need to be done to ensure communities have adequate access to essential air services during COVID-19 restrictions. Leader Mia Davies said while the $165 million bailout for Qantas and Virgin announced by Deputy Prime Minister Michael…
The Nationals WA have called on the State Government to immediately remove the Water Corporation service fee paid by businesses with multiple major sewerage fixtures – such as toilets or urinals – within a property. Leader Mia Davies said the ‘toilet tax’ required regional caravan parks, hotels, motels, restaurants and cafes to pay significant fees…
State Governments COVID-19 stimulus package leaves small business short As the unprecedented and challenging COVID-19 virus rages throughout the world, Australia is now closing down quickly in an effort to stem the spread of this terrible virus, leaving many small businesses and their employees without customers, incomes, jobs or the ability to survive. “Regional sole…
Photo credit: Main Roads WA Local Member for Geraldton Ian Blayney is calling on the State Government to make both the Geraldton and the Northampton bypasses top priorities to boost local economies reeling from the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. “The project can be built in stages so it makes sense to start in Northampton,…