While freight is still allowed to move across borders, CCIQ claims Queensland business has been locked out from interstate markets.

It said it was emphasising the impact border closures had on consumer confidence and tourism and its flow-on effects to business.

The chamber said the future depended on consumers looking to their own communities for goods and services and to support small businesses. 

CCIQ policy and advocacy general manager Amanda Rohan said border closures and restrictions to trade among other states were having an impact on supply chains, resourcing, logistics, staffing, travel and consumer confidence. 

“Additionally, until there is a clear decision as to when border closures will be softened, the uncertainty created among business and consumer confidence does little to support an optimistic outlook in the Queensland economy,” Rohan said. 

She said for the most part, consumers had access to the goods and services they needed within Queensland and if businesses capitalised on that opportunity now, it would support a more optimistic and confident future for the state’s economy.

 “Do your part to support those businesses now to ensure they’re still there in the future.” Rohan said.

“Certainty around lockdown, restriction and border closure decision-making was still essential if Queensland businesses were able to efficiently and effectively plan their immediate and long-term COVID recovery. 

“Without that certainty, businesses are struggling to know how they’re going to pay bills and ongoing overheads as well as staff but also how they’re going to get back to business in the future.

“This certainty needs to come from National Cabinet level, with state and territories agreeing on what it’s going to take for businesses to be able to recover from lockdowns, restrictions and the impact of border closures.”

Under Queensland’s border restrictions freight and logistics workers can enter Queensland, via road, rail and air. Commercial freight operations can include moving a range of different things for a variety of industries, such as fresh food and groceries, pharmaceuticals, heavy haulage for construction equipment, new vehicles, and furniture removals.

The transport of freight includes the commercial transport of livestock or other live animals such as beehives. It can also include passenger transport services like coaches. Any commercial passenger operations must only be transporting passengers that are permitted to enter Queensland.