Bridget Archer (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

We can reflect this week on where we were a year ago—the unease, the uncertainty and the feeling of knowing that the implications of the pandemic that had been somewhat in the background for weeks were becoming a full-blown reality. On this day, 23 March, 2020 hospitality owners across the country were reeling from the news that their bars, pubs and clubs would be closing down to help keep our communities healthy and safe. It was undoubtedly a dark day for owners and their employees who serve us our after-work drinks, on our night out or when we're catching up for a good pub lunch with friends on the weekend.

Launceston alderman and owner of Sporties Hotel, Nick Daking, has not forgotten the stress that he felt that day. He said: 'I always say that what's worse than a pub without beer is a pub without people. On 23 March we had both.' For employees of Boag's Brewery, our state's most iconic brewer located in the heart of Launceston, 23 March marked the first time that the brewery had to stop its keg line.

A year on, owner and operator of Boag's, Lion, has marked today as National Local Day to recognise the resilience our pubs and clubs have shown over the difficult 12 months. I call on all of us to head out tonight or on the weekend to our local pub, order a local beer or spirit and throw our support behind our hospitality venues. Those in Northern Tasmania, whether your local is the Scottsdale pub, Sporties, Saint John, the Metz, Alchemy or any other number of incredible venues, should get out and support our local industry.

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