Ballarat's Lockdown Damage Painted In Parliament
The Ballarat-based Victorian Minister for Small Business has admitted in the State Parliament today that she is not aware of the financial impact of the Andrews Government’s latest coronavirus lockdown on business in Ballarat.
The iconic Ballarat-based Haymes Paint company has been raised in the Victorian Parliament as an example of the economic devastation caused by the Andrews Government’s third lockdown.
Economists have estimated that the 5-day coronavirus lockdown has cost the Victorian economy $1 billion, including the regional economy.
Haymes Paint estimates it lost more than $500,000 in just five days, which included a weekend.
Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, asked the Minister, Jaala Pulford, if she was even aware of the financial wreckage in her hometown.
“This company is a Ballarat success story, with a 130-year manufacturing pedigree and a history of innovation and investment.
“It provides a livelihood for 340 employees – 340 families – and remains proudly Victorian based and Australian owned.
“Is the Minister even aware that the Premier’s latest lockdown established on 13 cases in Metropolitan Melbourne, has cost this company close to your office, half a million dollars?” Mrs McArthur asked.
The state-wide lockdown included the construction industry, creating an economic domino effect throughout the building trades. Sole traders, such as painters, were unable to work at all.
Mrs McArthur said the role of Government is to get out of the way of business, and to encourage growth.
“But this time, Daniel Andrews stepped right in the way, and stopped business altogether.
“Haymes is doing what businesses are being asked to do – invest in regional areas, grow their capacity, employ more people and generate wealth for their community.
“Even during a Government-led crisis, it is investing $4 million in a new paint shop in Ballarat. An incredible commitment.
“But they do this in face of adversity and fear."
Minister Pulford told the Parliament that she had not spoken with the company since the lockdown.
Mrs McArthur questioned the Minister on her understanding of the broader impact on business confidence caused by the Government’s snap decision.
“Minister, why would they, or anyone else in their right mind, continue to invest in Ballarat when Victoria faces a perpetual State of Emergency and repeated lockdown?”
In a display of contempt and arrogance now all-too-common with the Andrews administration, Minister Pulford told the parliament that: “If the Haymes company is of a mind to leave Ballarat, I would be very, very surprised by that. But of course if that is their intention, I would be very happy to talk to them about that as well.”
Mrs McArthur said the construing of the question into an attack on the integrity and commitment of the company to Ballarat was offensive.
“The Minister and this Government are causing enough damage without mocking the very people they’re supposed to be supporting.
“Quite clearly, I think Haymes is more committed to regional Victoria, and the welfare of locals, than is this disinterested, uncaring and obviously ill informed Government that clearly has no interest in, or concept of, how business operates and is forced to struggle under a constant regime of new and damaging diktats.”
“This is an unfortunate, revealing and thoroughly disappointing response to a very serious question now being asked right across regional Victoria,” Mrs McArthur said.
19 February 2021