Covid Confusion Demands Clarity
Despite assurances from the Premier that ‘we’re all in this together’, the truth remains far from that.
The myriad of ever-changing rules and regulations under COVID-19 management is continuing to hurt businesses across Victoria.
Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, said there are huge cracks in the classification of businesses, the latest being between `physical recreation’ and `dance’.
“I have a constituent who runs a Geelong business which conducts pre-school music and movement classes,” Mrs McArthur told the Victorian Parliament today.
“Kate Rice’s business Mini Maestros is classified as a ‘creative studio’. While she can conform to the density quotient and other requirements, the group limit of 10 make the classes unworkable.
“Normal classes include 10 children, but because of their age, this means 10 carers also attend,” she said.
Mrs McArthur said the rules are different for businesses categorised as Physical Recreation and Sports.
“By contrast, this category limits groups to ten, but does not include parents or carers in the cap.
“Just down the road from Kate’s business, Gymbaroo and Gymnastics classes are operating at double the capacity.”
A swipe of a bureaucrat’s pen has made one business operational and another doomed to fail.
Yesterday, Ms Rice advised that she has gained an exemption from the ‘Creative Studio’ ruling with changes made to certain ‘details on the website’.
“It’s one thing one moment – and then it was changed and we don’t know why,” Ms Rice said.
However, she said Melbourne franchisees of Mini Maestros are still seeking clarification. They remain closed and the same problems exists for them.
“People are very frustrated and they’re chasing their tails trying to catch up.
“It’s tricky for many businesses – there are many that sit in the grey zones – and there are a lot of grey zones,” Ms Rice said.
Mrs McArthur said the Mini Maestro case is an example of the Government’s moving feast of fluctuations and vagaries, leaving some businesses able to operate and others forced to shut their doors, despite being under the same category.
“Businesses shouldn’t have to go to the effort of applying for exemptions after every iteration from a Health Minister or CHO on a daily or weekly basis.
“It is this continual level of uncertainty that jeopardises the viability of so many businesses. If dictates must be made there must be clarity of detail from the outset of rule change announcements,” she said.
Mrs McArthur has asked if the Minister for Health, Martin Foley, intends to incorporate accountability, clarity, common sense and fairness into the prevailing coronavirus decrees.
“Will you clarify the rules, remove this technicality and end the unfair treatment?” she asked of the Minister
05 August 2021