NEWS

News

New Covid restrictions a big blow

  • Written by Business Council

New restrictions are a massive blow to our recovery, but business is working constructively with government to limit the damage and reopen as quickly as possible, Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said.

 

“We understand why these new rules have been put in place. We continue to work closely with the state government to design rules that don’t impact critical supply chains and essential services.

 

The NSW government has been willing to listen, engage and make technical changes to keep vital supply chains open.

 

“While we work to manage the immediate challenge, we can’t lose focus on the need to find ways to shift our thinking and innovate to get people back to work fast.

 

“The shutdown of construction will have a massive economic impact because this is a sector with a long tail through the economy.

 

“We have to find a way through on construction as a matter of urgency because there are big financial and health and safety impacts that flow from a sector wide pause.

 

“Big projects aren’t a tap that can simply be turned on or off, so we need to start planning now to reopen.

 

“We have to find ways to live with this virus while we wait for the vaccine roll-out to take off, which we know will happen rapidly when new supplies arrive.

 

“Technology has made us a world leader on tracking and tracing and containment, now we need to find ways to use it to live alongside the virus. 

 

“We should consider how new innovations like rapid testing can make workplaces safe and start getting big projects going again.

 

“Obviously, vaccination is our ticket back to normality. The business community are working closely with governments to ensure we’re ready to get people protected quickly once the supply is available.”

News

Prime Minister's Press Conference - Canberra, ACT

PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon. I’m joined by the Minister for Health and the Chief Medical Officer. I’m also joined by the Minister for Indigenou...

One million doses of Pfizer vaccine from Europe boosting Australian supplies

One million additional Pfizer doses will begin arriving in Australia from tonight after a significant agreement was reached with the Republic of Pol...

Stolen Generations Redress Scheme

The Morrison Government is delivering $378.6 million for a financial and wellbeing redress scheme for living Stolen Generations members who were r...

Prime Minister Scott Morrison's interview with Neil Breen, 4BC

NEIL BREEN: Good morning to you, Prime Minister.   PRIME MINISTER: G’day Neil, and can I say thanks to everyone across south east Queensland for th...

Iconic Red Centre car festival to host epic white wedding

In what might be one of the most unique weddings in Australian history, the iconic Alice Springs Red CentreNATS car festival will this year includ...

Prime Minister Interview with Karl Stefanovic, Today Show

KARL STEFANOVIC: Good morning, PM. Thanks for your time this morning. People are really stinging out there and they are desperate. Why couldn't yo...

Record $104 million for cyclone-affected communities

Communities devastated by Severe Tropical Cyclone Seroja will receive the largest disaster recovery package in Western Australian history, with $1...

COVID-19 Disaster Support Payment boosted

Increased financial support for hundreds of thousands of workers in New South Wales will be available from next week as part of the Commonwealth G...

SECURING THE WATER NEEDS OF THE NORTHERN RIVERS

NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Water Infrastructure, Sam Farraway, today called on the Australian and NSW Governments to work together to secure th...