People need a clear path out: Nicklin MP
Marty Hunt: “People now really needed a clear plan out of the uncertainty. They need to know what the triggers are to reach a relaxation of restrictions.”
AN emotionally-drained population, mired in uncertainty, needed a clear path out of COVID-19 restrictions, according to Nicklin MP Marty Hunt, pictured.
While praising Australia’s response to the pandemic Mr Hunt said people were understandably eager to get back to school and work safely. “People need a plan,” he said.
“So there appears to be some sort of light at the end of the tunnel. “
Everyone is doing really well in maintaining these restrictions. The infection rate across Australia is right down because everyone is doing so well in following the rules in general.
“But people now really needed a clear plan out of the uncertainty. They need to know what the triggers are to reach a relaxation of restrictions.” Mr Hunt hoped this Friday’s National Cabinet meeting would provide more certainty.
“People are in fnancial stress or anxious about their health, or anxious about their children’s futures.”
“People need to know what the triggers are to reach a relaxation of restrictions.”
On individual issues, the newly appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Treasury said a legislative void in Queensland was creating tension and uncertainty, particularly between tenants and landlords. Parliament had only met twice since the pandemic was declared, which was not enough time to clarify pressing legislation.
“Our ofce has had a lot of contact from landlords and tenants, particularly in the commercial space. “They haven’t been able to come to agreement on rents. What do they do now?
“None of the regulations have been put in black and white. So we’re trying to guide people through it and encourage them to try to come to an agreement. But there's obviously going to be people that can’t agree. “There needs to be a clear process for a hotline or a mediator.
But none of that's been outlined yet and it's been very frustrating for us. “That's been the difcult part of my job — people seeking certainty and me not being able to give it to them because of the slow release of regulation.
“A lot of that's been really slow. We can give advice about what's been announced, but until it's the law and until there's a process set up it's been very difcult to tell people, with certainty, what they can and can't do. Mr Hunt said cooperation between all levels of government on the Sunshine Coast was encouraging.
“The Mayor, the federal guys and the state members are all meeting via phone hook-up weekly to discuss the issues,” he said. He outlined schools and small business as other areas of concern. “Small businesses are hurting, obviously.
The cafes, the restaurants, the gyms ... some of those that have had to close down completely. People are really hurting out there.” Mr Hunt said parents have been confused as to why their children were allowed to go to school when the infection rate was a lot higher than it is now.
“Now the infection rate is very low and schools are only just starting to open for certain grades. The Teachers Union is rightly concerned about the health of teachers.
But if they don’t want to open schools to all grades now when the infection rate is quite low, when will they be happy to open for all grades? And if we’re all waiting for a vaccine before fully opening schools - then you could be waiting forever because there’s no guarantee that we will get a vaccine.”
“The wheels (of government) are turning very slowly. And it’s not something you can take slowly because people are hurting and stressed everyday.”