As the battle against coronavirus reaches a new stage, the changes have been coming so fast that I am sending you a summary of key ones for Gregory.

BUSINESS CLOSURES

As of Monday this week (March 23, 12 pm), the following businesses must close to slow the spread of coronavirus:

Easter Camping Holidays
The Queensland Government announced on Wednesday March 25, 2020 that all state-government Campgrounds would close the next day, Thursday, March 26, 2020.

This will affect the Easter holiday period.

The announcement closes all campgrounds in national parks, state forests, state managed recreation areas – such as near dams, and campgrounds in protected areas.
Holders will receive a full refund for unused camping permits.

For further information go to www.des.qld.gov.au

The closure does not affect residential caravan parks.

Travel and Transport Restrictions

International travel banned. Queensland border closed (see more details below). Non-essential travel in Queensland is being discouraged. For this reason, from Friday, March 27, 2020 the Queensland Government will be stopping the XPT rail service between Sydney and Brisbane at Casino, NSW.

The Spirit of the Outback service between Longreach and Brisbane has been suspended. Long distance coach services have been reduced across Queensland.
Bus Queensland – Toowoomba-Rockhampton 1 return trip per week
Greyhound – Emerald-Rockhampton 3 return trips per week
Greyhound – Longreach-Rockhampton 2 return trips per week
Mackay Transit – Emerald-Mackay 4 return trips per week

Qld Border Restrictions

If you are a Queensland resident, you are free to return to Queensland by air, sea, rail or road – unless you have been either overseas or in a coronavirus “hotspot” in Australia, in the last 14 days.

These hotspots will be decided by the Chief Medical Officer and listed on the Queensland Health website www.health.qld.gov.au.

Everyone else – all non-Queenslanders - arriving in Queensland must self-quarantine for 14 days unless they are an exempt person. To find out if you are an exempt person visit the website at https://www.qld.gov.au/about/newsroom/queensland-border-restrictions.

Exempt persons will need to apply for an entry pass on the web site. Exemptions include workers in the transport of goods or freight and workers in Construction, mining, energy and agribusinesses. FIFO workers should visit the website to see the specific requirements affecting them.

Queensland also allows a general compassionate grounds exemption, as well as specific exemptions for those living outside of Queensland who:

• Are carers/relatives of dependant individuals in Queensland
• Need to obtain essential medical treatment including visiting terminally ill relatives in Queensland
• Are interstate boarding school students where school is closed
• Are required to comply with the law to travel to Queensland (for example, Family Court, parole/bail conditions etc.).

Visit the website for further Information.

Gambling Community Benefit Fund

Community groups who have received a gambling community benefit grant but are now finding their project or event is being delayed by coronavirus are being urged to apply to extend their acquittal date at www.gamblingcommunityfund.qld.gov.au

BUSINESS SUPPORT
Measures announced Thursday, March 26, 2020 by the Queensland Government to support businesses impacted by COVID19:

• PAYROLL TAX- The three month deferral has now been extended to nine months
• LIQUOR LICENSE FEES- Waived for businesses that have had to close their doors
• POWER BILL- $500 rebate on annual power bill

For further information go to www.business.qld.gov.au 

• ADVICE- The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIQ) is receiving government funding to provide advice to non-members as well as members, in relation to managing the following issues in relation to COVID19:

staff entitlements, staff leave, redundancy, managing business closure, cyber security, workplace hygiene and safety, and general advice.

To make contact with the CCIQ, go to www.cciq.com.au.

Updates and Advice

You can access updates and advice at www. Australia.gov.au and at health.qld.gov.au

Thank You for Your Efforts

It is important to remember we have limited tests, no cure and no vaccine. Good hygiene – especially washing our hands and keeping 2 metres apart – are the only things we have to shut this virus down.

If one person infects an average of four others, the case count goes 1, 4, 16, 64, 256 and the next step is 1,024. This is why we must all do everything we can to prevent the spread. It is not just about our own health, it really is about all of our fellow Australians too.

Thank you for your personal efforts.

Feel Free to Forward this Information

As always, if you would like to share this newsletter with a friend, please feel free to simply forward this email to them.

If you have received this letter from a friend and want to subscribe, email me at [email protected] or visit lachlanmillarmp.com. If you do not wish to receive this email, please click the link below to unsubscribe.

If you have an issue you wish to raise, you can contact me very simply by return email or by calling my Emerald office (07 4913 1000) or Longreach office (07 4521 5700).

Kindest Regards – and please stay safe,

Lachlan Millar MP
Member for Gregory and
Shadow Minister for Fire, Emergency Services and Volunteers.