A $3 million support package for temporary visa holders in Tasmania has been welcomed but Labor, the Greens and Unions Tasmania say the Federal government needs to also step up its response.
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Premier Peter Gutwein announced the four-part package on Wednesday.
Coronavirus: All the latest updates on COVID-19 for Tasmania
Mr Gutwein said there were 26,000 temporary visa holders in Tasmania, many of whom had lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 restrictions in place and who were unable to seek financial assistance through the Federal government's JobSeeker or JobKeeper packages.
"For those that can return, the third part of that [package] is we will work with them to give them travel advice but also if necessary provide some financial support to help them get home," Mr Gutwein said.
"Fourthly, we will work with industry sectors or employers who want to retain their employees because of their specialist skills in the state to, when their business is able to start up again in coming months, ensure we have those skills that we need."
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But Mr Gutwein said he would not be stepping into the social welfare system, which was the responsibility of the Federal government, because Tasmania did not have the capacity to do so.
"It is modest what I've provided today," he said.
"I'm not going to get into an argument with the Federal government. I've taken the view, as have other states and territories ... in this case, that we will step up and we will provide support."
Labor leader Rebecca White welcomed the announcement, saying COVID-19 did not check a person's visa status and everyone in the community needed protection during the pandemic.
But she noted a payment of $250 per person, plus some additional emergency food relief support, was not going to stretch far.
"It's really a great relief the government here in Tasmania has recognised the desperate situation a lot of visa workers are facing but it does require the Federal government to provide access to additional supports," Ms White said.
Ms White again called on the Federal government to expand its JobSeeker and JobKeeper schemes to include temporary visa holders.
Tasmanian Greens senator and Greens immigration spokesman Nick McKim said people who held temporary visas needed proper income support and access to Medicare - both of which were Federal responsibilities.
Unions Tasmania secretary Jessica Munday said Tasmania's measures recognised the current JobKeeper wage subsidy failed to support all workers.
"The state government has come to the table with additional support for migrant workers and now it's the Federal government's turn," Ms Munday said.
United Workers Union Tasmania spokeswoman Jannette Armstrong also called on the Federal government to follow Tasmania's lead.
"Sadly, over the past few weeks, United Workers Union Tasmania has been made aware of a number of heartbreaking situations and personal stories of migrant workers in crisis. This financial assistance will make a start to alleviate these financial pressures," Ms Armstrong said.
"This is a reflection of an inclusive and caring Tasmania - it's now time for the Federal government to also implement supportive measures for temporary migrant workers nationwide."
Clark independent MHA Madeleine Ogilvie said the state had an obligation to help people stuck here.
"Through no fault of their own, international students, visitors and workers have been caught up in the crisis," Ms Ogilvie said.
Federal Group executive general manager of corporate and regulatory affairs Daniel Hannah said the group employed about 150 visa workers and it would now work with the Tasmanian Hospitality Association and the government to ensure the new support measures were passed on to workers.
When announcing the package, Mr Gutwein said he did not agree with the message that temporary visa holders should simply go home.
"Many of these visa holders cannot return to their home countries because of border closures. To Italy, to Spain, to New York, to the United Kingdom," he said.
Mr Gutwein said he wanted to remind people temporary visa holders had helped build a stronger, more diverse and skilled Tasmania.
"They are a part of our community. This is a time for kindness," he said.
"There is no room, no room, in Tasmania for racism and abuse.
"When I was working through this package ... and thinking about some of the challenges our temporary visa holders face at the moment, I spared a thought [for] if my children at the moment were in a country on the other side of the world and one, either they couldn't get home, or two, they were in a position with no financial support - I think it's only fair and reasonable, that for those who contributed to our society, we provide some support in their hour of need."
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