The year that has tested our health system and economy has almost come to an end.
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During 2020 we have altered the way we connect with friends and family, been forced to change travel plans and embrace new words - "unprecedented", "iso" and "lockdown" - as part of everyday language.
While many of us would argue 2020 has presented more than one year's worth of challenges, we now find ourselves approaching the festive season, looking forward to Christmas parties, Santa's arrival and catch ups with loved ones and friends.
I note with pleasure that Tasmania's State Control Centre considers Santa Claus to be an essential worker so he has been granted a special exemption to enter the state on Christmas Eve.
This year, more than any other in recent memory, those parties and get-togethers are sorely needed, but we must be mindful that all those happenings are still occurring within the coronavirus pandemic and, therefore, all our activities must remain COVID-safe.
On Tasmanian Public Health recommendations, gatherings are limited to a maximum of 250 people indoors and 1000 outside, with a maximum density limit of one person per two square metres, however if those gatherings are held at a household (including shacks) the number is limited to 40 people.
We all want - and deserve - Christmas with family and friends, but we need to do so in a safe way.
Tasmanian produce is sought after around the world, but we are fortunate to be able to taste it at its freshest.
And at Christmas time we can enjoy some of the best fare our producers have to offer, from locally-reared salmon, ham, beef, lamb, duck and chicken through to summer berries and cherries, crispy vegetables, creamy dairy products and cool climate wines, beers and ciders.
The Australian and Tasmanian governments have encouraged us to holiday at home this year, with Tasmanians enjoying accommodation and experiences via the Make Yourself at Home campaign.
As we head into summer and the New Year, the message is still clear: we should be holidaying here.
This message works at two levels: after more than three months without an active COVID-19 case, Tasmania is one of the safest places to be right now; and our state is not just a fantastic place to live, it also makes a great holiday destination.
Tasmania is home to vibrant cities, thriving regions and stunning rural and wilderness areas.
Our tourism and hospitality vendors have weathered the storm through the pandemic and winter and now need our support.
Tourism is one of this state's most significant industries. Indeed, Lonely Planet named Tasmania in its top 10 destinations in the world and Travel and Leisure magazine put Tasmania in its top 25 islands in the world.
The T21 Tasmanian Visitor Economy Strategy shows tourism contributes $3.6 billion, or 11 per cent, of our GDP, with 43,200 people employed in the industry.
... we should be holidaying here.
As Tasmanians, we already know how good our state is and as restrictions have been lifted across the state, I have been able to travel again into the regions and rediscover the appreciation we have for our natural heritage and our sense of community, and to gain a better understanding of how these communities have been affected during the pandemic.
I have seen first-hand how Tasmanian communities coped with COVID-19 and the innovative solutions they developed.
I was so proud of what I witnessed, and I commend these many businesses, councils and community organisations for their determination and strength during this difficult time.
For an island with a relatively small land area, we have more than 18,000 kilometres of state-owned and local roads.
The $2.4 billion in joint federal and state investment in roads and bridges over the next four years will increase safety, making travelling across Tasmania easier.
Take an adventure driving through our agricultural regions, along the Great Eastern Drive, to the southern-most edge of Australia, through Tasmania's historical heart or head to rugged western wilderness.
If you are driving, it is important to consider your own safety, and that of your family, when driving during this festive season. With our borders opened up, and more people on holiday over Christmas and New Year, there are bound to be more people on our roads, so please check your vehicle before you head off, keep an eye on the speed limit and stay safe while driving, including taking regular breaks.
We are all responsible for road safety.
But most of all, I would like to wish you a safe, relaxing and enjoyable time, preferably with family and friends, to close off this challenging year.
- Wendy Askew, Tasmanian Liberal senator