Me On Radio &amp; TV

Apr 4

INSTAGRAM LIVE interview at 11am today with @guygr

INSTAGRAM LIVE interview at 11am today with @guygrossi about the anguish of closing his restaurants, exacerbated by the extraordinary plight of the overseas workers who are integral to the Grossi restaurants. Join us to find out why he employed them in the first place and what it would be like trying to rebuild the Australian restaurant industry without them. This is Guy's papa, Pietro, who came to Melbourne in 1960, ready to share his culture, contribute to his new country and build businesses that help it thrive. See you at 11! ...

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Apr 4

Chef @charliesatlas has nine employees at @atlasdi

Chef @charliesatlas has nine employees at @atlasdining restaurant in Prahran. Seven of them are from overseas, with visas that allow them to work in Australia but not to claim any benefits. "I don't think the government is aware how bad the repercussions are for these workers," Carrington says. "They are taxpayers, they are here now and we have to look out for them." Charlie, along with other restaurateurs including @caterinascucinaebar, @misskukuwindsor
and @chinchin are taking it upon themselves to help their overseas workers.

Read my story in today's @theageaustralia
and via link in bio.
This morning, the government announced changes that will allow some visa workers to access super but the basic message is: "leave". This is unconscionable. It's also unrealistic: there are few flights, they are expensive and - in many cases - people have no home to go to. Visa workers have lives, lovers, leases, families and careers here. They also have a reasonable expectation that the legal working pathways laid out for them would not be torn up due to a global health crisis. Also - our economy absolutely depends on them. Restaurants certainly do. If we want to #savehospo we also need to ensure #noworkerleftbehind ...

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Apr 1

"Do you know where I could find some food?" This i

"Do you know where I
could find some food?" This is from an email I received today from a temporary visa holder who is in Melbourne without work and without any access to government support. Before becoming unemployed when their restaurant shut down due to COVID-19, this person was washing dishes, sweeping floors, cleaning rangehoods, and taking out rubbish. They have also been paying tax, rent, uni fees, private health insurance and visa costs. They are not entitled to JobSeeker or JobKeeper or their own super. They are not able to go home to India because they don't have money for a ticket and because the borders are closed. And their life is here.
There are at least five good reasons why overseas workers should be included in COVID-19 benefits. I've outlined them in more detail in my petition (change.org/noworkerleftbehind and via link in bio) but they are:

1. Humanitarian: It's unconscionable to leave taxpayers in unfunded limbo during this unprecedented crisis.
2. Health: A poverty-stricken underclass - created by government inaction - is at greater risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19.
3. Resources: Overseas workers with no access to any funds will overwhelm existing charities.
4. Economic: The hospitality industry doesn't function without overseas workers.
5. Security: Maintaining social cohesion will be a challenge in the months ahead anyway. No good will come from creating a needy and desperate cohort of temporary visa holders at a time when all Australians are under particular stress.
The PM talks of Team Australia. My Team Australia is inclusive, caring and ensures that no person is left behind.

#savehospo
#noworkerleftbehind
#wagesubsidyforall
@scottmorrisonmp @josh.frydenberg.mp @sallymcmanus1971 @joshburnsmp ...

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Mar 29