The core role of the Tasmanian Hospitality Association is to support hospitality operators and venues, to advocate for the best interests of the hospitality industry and secure investment and support for the state's restaurants, cafes, pubs, nightclubs, hotels and accommodation providers.
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We have done that tirelessly, especially over the past 12 months during which time the industry has been disproportionately and detrimentally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It's safe to say the hospitality industry will need ongoing assistance well into the future, not only from the THA but in the form of stimulus and support from governments, both state and federal.
So it was quite bemusing to hear the uproar around the THA's Memorandum of Understanding with the Tasmanian Labor Party.
The MOU simply puts pen to paper on a number of commitments that Labor has made to support the industry and affirms their intent to follow through on them should they win the election on May 1.
Labor has committed to "work together to improve access to mental health support for operators and workers" and "ensure the industry provides secure, meaningful and safe employment for all workers" and that "the Labor Party will have a portfolio for hospitality", among many other positive, ongoing pledges to the sector.
In fact there are 21 'points' in the fairly brief, not-so-secret MOU, and yes gaming is among them, given it forms part of the hospitality industry.
But that's just where media, opposition parties and at times the public get so caught up, gaming is one part of a very broad, diverse and essential industry in Tasmania's economy and community.
Labor has reaffirmed, through this MOU, its commitment to support the owner-operator poker machine model, getting rid of the policy they took to the 2018 election once and for all.
But Labor has also committed to ensure the prosperity of other, arguably more important, areas of the hospitality sector such as workforce development, mental health support and reducing casualisation.
Labor has committed to "work together to improve access to mental health support for operators and workers" and "ensure the industry provides secure, meaningful and safe employment for all workers" and that "the Labor Party will have a portfolio for hospitality", among many other positive, ongoing pledges to the sector.
They're similar commitments to those made by the current Tasmanian Liberal party through their 2018 election policy for the industry - that is, normal correspondence and collaboration between the peak body representing a major industry which employs 22,000 Tasmanians and the state's policy makers.
The THA has strong working relationships with the hospitality minister and her office, and we will continue to work closely with the relevant department, regardless of the outcome of the state election next month.
The MOU with Labor was not formed out of coercion or 'bribery', in fact (to be very clear) the THA has not and has no intention of donating directly to either major party's election campaign as it currently stands.
The MOU isn't a 'dirty deal' or 'secret agreement', it's a commitment to valuing the hospitality sector.
It's an 'Understanding' the THA is pleased to have reached.
What's no secret is that the THA and Labor weren't the best of friends during the last state election campaign, but the vitality of the hospitality sector after such a difficult year is the priority in forming this MOU.
The survival of hospitality venues, the wellbeing of operators, and the quality and prosperity of the industry has and should always have bipartisan support and the THA is proud to foster that.
- Steve Old, THA chief executive
