MEDIA RELEASE: Christmas in February for Victorian hospitality industry after today’s stimulus package announcement

Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) has today welcomed the Victorian Government’s $200 million stimulus package announcement.

This package, designed to support Victoria’s hospitality and tourism sector in the wake of the financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 lockdowns, will be a much-needed boost to the more than more than 16,000 restaurants, cafés and catering businesses operating across Victoria.

“Who ever heard of Christmas in February? Today’s announcement comes after many months of consultation and advocacy from Restaurant & Catering Australia and it’s a huge win for the sector as a whole and for the people of Victoria,” said R&CA CEO Mr Wes Lambert.

“The announcement of vouchers and support for getting people in hospitality jobs is exactly the step in the right direction that our industry needs after such a tough two years.”

“The industry now desperately needs workers to come back to the CBD and for restrictions that single-out hospitality venues to be relaxed”, Mr Lambert said.

“While it’s been a long and arduous two years, we’re finally seeing signs that things are slowly coming back to normal.”

Restaurant & Catering Australia will continue to advocate for support for Victoria’s hospitality industry.