VICTORIA’s accommodation industry is one of the many financial victims of this pandemic.

With Melbourne in lockdown, a hard border with NSW and little incentive for South Australians to head East, the client pool for regional Victoria’s hotels and motels is quickly drying up.

Member for Mildura Ali Cupper is urging the State Government to recognise the circumstances these businesses have fallen upon, and act accordingly.

“As regional Victoria is out of lockdown, accommodation providers outside of Melbourne are no longer eligible for disaster payment funding,” Ms Cupper said.

“They’re staring down the barrel of financial peril, as the bulk of their clients remain in lockdown or across State borders.

“Without the safety net of JobKeeper or support payments these businesses are being left with empty beds and untenable balance sheets.”

Ms Cupper has written to Victoria’s Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, Martin Pakula, requesting that the State Government introduce a temporary grant scheme that can keep the industry afloat.

“In the space between lockdowns, earnings in the industry have been relatively stable,” Ms Cupper said.

“But when lockdowns hit no one travels, funds dry up, and accommodation providers take weeks to recover when restrictions begin easing.

“We’re now in a situation where Melbourne and interstate travellers are once again out of the equation, regional Victorians are hesitant to travel, and our hotels and motels are struggling to make ends meet.”

The exact metric used to determine the funding businesses will be eligible for will need to be determined by the Government.

“We need our inns to remain in operation, it’s as simple as that,” Ms Cupper said.

“I’d rather we have vacant beds than vacant businesses.”