THE POST/SUN, Wednesday, August 27, 2025 - Page 1
monaropost.com.au
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
monaropost.com.au
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Businesses say no By NATHAN THOMPSON
NO THANKS: Cooma Hotel co-owner, Julie Skaines, and staff member, Kieran Lukasiak, believe a four-day working week would hurt local hospitality venues. PHOTO: Nathan. Thompson It is hard enough now getting people to work, especially when our busiest days are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Ms Skaines said. “It would not be practical for our region with lots of visitors.” Ms Skaines said her business, like many in the industry, is struggling to secure workers. “We could definitely use some more workers. It’s hard in Cooma at the moment and
Members needed By NATHAN THOMPSON
FOUR-DAY WORKING WEEK NOT FEASIBLE: OPERATORS Snowy Monaro hospitality and retail businesses have declared a four-day working week would significantly hamper their operations and limit their ability to trade. Discussions of a four-day working week have again been placed on the national agenda with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) taking the proposal to the Federal Government’s Economic Reform Roundtable. The ACTU is arguing workers deserve to benefit from productivity gains and technological advancements, and by reducing working hours, living standards will improve. Businesses in the region have rejected the idea, particularly in a busy tourist area like the Snowy Monaro. Cooma Hotel co-owner, Julie Skaines, said the town’s hospitality venues would not support a four-day working week. Ms Skaines said businesses are already facing pressures of finding staff and a reduced working week would not help. “The idea would not work.
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across the industry,” Ms Skaines said. Unions propose Australia move towards a four-day work week where appropriate, and use sector-specific alternatives where it is not. Pay and conditions, including penalty rates, overtime and minimum staffing levels, would be protected to ensure a reduced work week doesn’t result in a loss of pay.
The Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association (ARCA) said the move would be a ‘death blow’ for cafes. “Hospitality isn’t an office job. We can’t cram service into fewer days,” ARCA CEO, Wes Lambert, said. “A blanket four-day rule would push office attendance into Tuesday–Thursday, leaving Mondays and Fridays even quieter.”
The Snowy Monaro Arts Council is the latest community group putting out an urgent call for new volunteers as it faces an uncertain future. The group is calling for new leaders ahead of a special general meeting this month. Finding new members is not a challenge unique to the arts council. This masthead reported last week the Berridale and Jindabyne Lions Club were seeking fresh faces to survive. The region is well-known for its community spirit and sits above the state average for volunteer numbers. However, many groups are at a crossroads, including the Snowy Monaro Arts Council. Since forming in the 1960s, the arts council has been one of the region’s key groups in advocating for and hosting live performances in Cooma. President, Caroline Fox, said the not-for-profit organisation is in need of new members. “It’s not the first time the organisation has faced a turning point,” Ms Fox said. “It’s time for a new chapter. “We need fresh energy, new ideas, and people who are passionate about keeping live music and the arts alive in Cooma.” The meeting is on Sunday, 21 September at the St Andrew’s Uniting Church Hall. ■ More on page 3
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