Australia is now in the first phase of recovery, placing focus on reopening economy and society

Australia is now in the first phase of recovery, placing focus on reopening economy and society.

MEASURES

• Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a ‘3-step’ plan to revive the nation’s economy and social life, setting an aspirational target of July for the final phase. In line with the Federal Government, various states and territories have begun to roll out a 3-step plan.
• Principally motivated by economic necessity, leaders in Wellington (NZ) and Canberra (Australia) have floated a possibility of a trans-Tasman bubble, which would allow tourism between the two countries without a two-week quarantine.
• Diplomatic spat with China: Australia has pushed for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. China, Australia’s largest trading partner, has since suspended the export licences of several of Australia’s largest beef processors and proposed tariffs of 80% on Australian barley shipments, in what many viewed as retaliatory actions.

UPDATES

• ICBA APAC is supporting the National Beverage Association in providing a framework for manufacturing operations for the consideration of local governments whilst restrictions begin to relax.
• The Australian Beverages Council is working with KPMG to develop a white paper on the recovery of the beverage industry, which seeks to provide evidence-based modelling on pro-growth and pro-job policy settings.