Hansard debates

Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (10:11): I want to raise the issue of regional businesses that have now had to become policemen for this government. They have got to check customers’ IDs or else face a fine of $9913. If the individual messes up, they are subject to a fine of $5000. Customers need to provide driving licences and proof of addresses that may well be in Melbourne. I just want to say that for a number of people in country Victoria their children often have moved to the country and are working from home in the country. Are these people going to be subject to these new rules and regulations? And the businesses that are struggling to keep open and even open up are now going to be faced with this enormous extra burden. As one of my constituents said:

Fair is fair.

How much more compliance do we need to do to get our businesses back on track?

With these impractical government red tape, businesses will just decide it is not worth reopening or continuing and close for good.

Businesses should not have to be the policemen for government.