Wes Lambert, Director at the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) and Chief Executive of the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association, praised the South Australian Government’s role in this growth. “The SA Government, led by Premier Peter Malinauskas, and with the help of Small and Family Business Minister Andrea Michaels, has been a tireless advocate for small business and the hospitality industry in SA,” he stated. Mr. Lambert also noted that the state’s approach should serve as a model for fostering growth and sustainability in the hospitality industry nationally.

Australia’s hospitality sector is grappling with a significant shortage of apprentice chefs, baristas and waiters – and Australians would be first choice for the 36,000 jobs advertised, writes Luke Mangan. ARCA CEO Wes Lambert says “the upcoming budget and federal election must include apprentice and traineeship incentives, not just free TAFE”.

But increased spending isn’t across the board. Wes Lambert, CEO of The Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association, which represents 56,000 businesses in the $64 billion industry, said conditions were either “feast or famine”.