Hansard debates

Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (18:35): My adjournment matter concerns the Queenscliff–Sorrento ferry service in my electorate and is addressed to the Premier. Operated by Searoad Ferries, the service carries around 1 million passengers each year and is Australia’s most used car and passenger ferry. For so many great Victorian regional businesses the impact of COVID restrictions has been appalling. Since March passenger numbers have dropped to just 10 per cent of their normal level. Despite this huge drop in revenue and the increased operational difficulty of complying with the required public health measures, the ferry has continued to operate. I pay tribute to the company for making this decision and to the staff who continue to provide this essential service to the Mornington Peninsula and the Bellarine despite these difficulties and despite frequent and arbitrary policy changes often coming without notice or consultation.

At every stage these changes have required more time, effort and investment. Never have they allowed increased revenue. The definition of the Peninsula as metropolitan Melbourne and its now absurd separation from the Bellarine as regional Victoria has made their job even harder. Chief executive Matt McDonald has written to the Premier to plead that he lift the catastrophic restrictions now. He writes:

Our organisation, our staff and our communities have held our breath through the many lockdowns … We have carried the heavy burden for months through this crisis and have held on to glim hopes of respite and relief, however I am unsure how much more we can carry …

Not only due to the financial abyss … but also … the mental health of our staff and our communities … now we are fearing the end. Just because we held our breath for 1 minute does not mean that they we can hold it for 2, 3 or 4 minutes. At some point the only thing that will ensure survival is not just the hope for air, but breath itself.

For many regional businesses the difference between the practical reduction of risk and the total elimination of risk is not just academic; it is the difference between continued trading and safeguarded jobs, and bankruptcy and redundancies. As Matt notes:

If Government took this risk elimination strategy and applied it to other sectors we could reduce the road toll to zero by driving at 3km/hr, or if we incarcerated the entire population we could have no crime on our streets.

It is incredibly sad that in the face of the Premier’s approach and without the assistance afforded by the state government to other essential public transport and infrastructure providers, the Queenscliff ferry has had to make redundancies. I feel for those affected, for the company and for the communities. I ask the Premier to remove the ring of steel and open up now, immediately, without delay, before it is too late.