From the President

DAVID BASHEER – AHA|SA PRESIDENT

This article was written before the 10 March 2022 government announcements were made.

The Skill Cull Must End

WATCH VIDEO: https://youtu.be/g1e2r-2XIVA

Our industry’s well-publicised skill shortage continues to be a major operational issue for all of us. It is a significant barrier to growth as we seek to recover from two years of devastating restrictions.

A recent story in The Advertiser actually celebrated the fact that people displaced from our sector due to Government-imposed health orders have found careers in alternative industries.

This brings no joy to our industry.

The article related the stories of a former restaurant manager who is now a police officer, a chef who now manages a bakery and Nicole Smart, until recently a head chef, who is now a youth worker.

Nicole was quoted as saying: “(For the first time in my life) I had to go on Centrelink. It gave me the opportunity to think about changing my lifestyle.”

I don’t know Nicole and this is not a criticism of her. It simply confirms what we all know. It is a problem that was highlighted in the National Skills Commission’s 2021 Recruitment report as one of the main reasons why two thirds of hospitality employers reported difficulties in recruiting. That compared to 41% of employers across all industries.

The AHA continues to pursue State and Federal Governments to unlock this skills gap.

Due to COVID-19 uncertainties, our brand has been trashed for current and prospective employees.

We need assistance to win back enthusiastic and skilled staff, like Nicole, who were stolen from us due to COVID-19 directions.

The AHA will continue to lobby the next Premier to mount a serious campaign reassuring school leavers and mature employees that hospitality is a noble and fulfilling pursuit. Governments can’t realistically celebrate our State’s renowned food, wine and tourism culture, then leave employers stranded in their search for quality staff to maximise the opportunities. It doesn’t make sense.

A GOOD WIN

The AHA has scored an important victory that will assist hotels to entice staff to re-enter our industry. After intense representation at Federal and State level to free up migration criteria, we won two significant changes to the South Australian Designated Migration Agreements (DAMA)

The AHA lobbied heavily – and succeeded – in reinstating the occupations that were removed in 2020, such as chefs, cooks and restaurant managers. New bespoke occupations of hospitality supervisor and hospitality worker were also created and added to the DAMA to specifically benefit the regions in South Australia, where the skills crisis has bitten hardest. Importantly, when we find the right employee, all these occupations have a path to permanent residency.

Additionally, more flexible labour market testing requirements will be introduced for these DAMAs, including hotels only having to provide evidence of labour market testing within the 12 months, rather than a tighter four months previously. Again, regional hotels have received even greater concessions in this area.

This process can be complex and cumbersome, and members are encouraged to contact Owen Webb or members of the AHA’s IR team for further clarification.

Even if your own venue has no appetite for employing overseas workers, having more applicants in our total recruiting pool will play its part in easing the skills crisis.

CROWN ROYAL COMMISSON- LOCAL CONSEQUENCES?

Last year’s Royal Commission into Crown Casino came down heavily against the casino giant.

The Victorian Government has flagged its intention to act on a core recommendation and impose a mandatory pre-commitment scheme at the casino.

This move is not seen as just a harm minimisation measure, but to limit money laundering.

Unhelpfully, Crown Chief Executive Officer Steve McCann has called on these measures to also be introduced to all pubs and clubs in Victoria. The obvious concern would be for this to spread Australia-wide.

There is absolutely no justification for any government to impose Crown-like penalties on venuebased gaming operators.

A casino and your local pub act and behave in completely different spheres. Furthermore, there is not a shred of evidence of money laundering in pubs.

Our smaller venues have the checks and balances, and responsible gambling. Casinos act under completely different gaming legislation to pubs, including extended opening hours, more relaxed rules around high roller players and of course many, many more machine offers, incentives and numbers.

Money laundering concerns in our pubs and clubs in South Australia are a world away from Crown Casino. The maximum amount that can be inserted into a gaming machine accepting notes in South Australia is $149. Compare that to other jurisdictions and casinos around Australia and you will quickly understand the concerns and findings from the Crown Royal Commission in this area are simply not relevant to your local South Australian pub.

Given the COVID-19 nightmare this industry has endured for two years, any politician or regulator who thinks it a good idea to crush us even further as we start the tentative steps to recovery will meet with the heaviest resistance this industry can muster.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA POST-ELECTION

With the State election on our doorstep, the AHA|SA always works with all sides of politics.

Two years ago we observed we were the first industry hit by COVID-19. We feared we would be the last ones out. Sadly, that fear has materialised.

Regardless of the election result, the most urgent conversation we will be having with the next Government is the lifting of the emergency declaration and ALL associated COVID-19 restrictions. That includes the constant threat of new health impositions on our venues, leaving any sense of long term confidence in tatters.

We recall the wasted last six months of 2021 when restrictions were needlessly retained. That cannot be repeated in 2022.

It is impossible to believe we are still in a State of Emergency. The Chief Health Officer openly encouraged people to attend Fringe events. As any visit to major Fringe venues will confirm, people are complying with this in their tens of thousands – just as the public obeyed the instruction to stay away from our venues on New Year’s Eve.

Let’s look at the facts. All borders are open. We expect a 53,000 full house at Adelaide Oval for the football. Critically, our hospital system is in no danger of being overrun.

However, those who have nothing to lose by heavy-handed health orders warn us we must keep restrictions in case of another variant. So, does the Tumby Bay Hotel have to keep its restrictions in place in case the Modbury Hospital, 600km away, could have a lack of beds at some unknown time in the future?

It is totally unacceptable that any easing of hospitality restrictions are portrayed as an industry privilege, while other industries continue with little or no shackles.

Since July, no one has seen a hospitality worker smile. Let’s get rid of those masks and all other restrictions and re-join the rest of the world.