A new ANU poll shows easing restrictions on pubs, clubs and cafes has the second highest support among Australians behind increased spending on research for a COVID-19 vaccine and treatment.
The lowest level of support was for opening up Australia’s borders to tourists and international students.
The ANU poll is the latest in a regular series from the ANU Centre for Social Research Methods. It surveyed 3200 people in May on their views about the economy and COVID-19 measures.
Andrew Wilsmore, Chief Executive Officer for Alcohol Beverages Australia said: “Australians recognise the importance of our hospitality and tourism sector to the overall economy and for its ability to create jobs faster than any other sector.
“The hospitality sector lost close to half a million jobs at the height of coronavirus restrictions, with an additional 15% lost from the workforces of beer, wine, and spirit producers.
“$8.5billion has been wiped from hospitality business sales representing close to 10% of annual revenues, with April 2020 going down as the worst month on record for beer, wine, and spirits producers.
“With the right policy settings and support from Governments, we have an obligation to not only recreate those jobs and economic activity, but generate even more.
“Many Australians get their first jobs in the hospitality and tourism industry and go onto great careers establishing their own small businesses and employing people of their own.
“Pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes are part of Australians’ lifestyle. Having a drink in Australia is a social activity. Watching the footy with mates, a few drinks after work at the pub, celebrating at a wedding, or a nice meal over dinner at your favourite restaurant or cafe. The shutdown ended all of that.
“Our hospitality and retail venues have worked hard to create a safe environment for customers and our own team. We now want to get on with the job of creating jobs and occasions where Australians can get back together and share a meal and dink safely and responsibly."
Victoria & NSW easing restrictions
The announcement of further easing restrictions in Victoria and NSW has come as welcome news for many licensed venues as new rules come into effect around Australia.
Victoria has been the strictest Australian state during the pandemic, but the Government will finally allow patrons to have a drink without a meal and up to 50 people to attend venues from next week.
However, Australian Hotels Association state chief Paddy O’Sullivan said the latest round of easing restrictions would only help a small number of pubs.
“If you want to go beyond 100 people in a pub, you have to have a massive 400 square metres,” he told the Herald Sun.
“In a small pub you can only have so many people in your venue. It’s a killer.”
He urged the Victorian Government to match Western Australia’s rule of one person per two square metres.
Click here for the full rundown of current restrictions around the country.
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