Fine dining chef who has lived Down Under for a decade slams ‘un-Australian’ treatment of him and his 19 staff after they were left unable to claim any benefits to help them through the coronavirus crisis
- British chef who has called Australia home for 10 years isn’t entitled to benefits
- He is pleading with the government to give him enough money to cover food
- Nelly Robinson employs 19 staff and is paying their wages so they don’t miss out
- They are foreign workers and not entitled to JobKeeper or JobSeeker payments
- His fine dining restaurant was forced to close on March 23 amid coronavirus
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
A chef who has called Australia home for 10 years says he is one of the thousands of foreign workers left behind by the Morrison government.
Nelly Robinson moved to Australia in 2010 to pursue his passion, after working under Michelin starred chefs back home in Lancashire, northern England.
He worked hard to open his own fine dining restaurant, Nel, in Surry Hills in 2015. He now employs 19 staff – 18 of which also aren’t entitled to any benefits.
Mr Robinson closed his doors on March 23, along with every other restaurant, cafe, pub, cinema and gym in Australia, after the government locked down the nation to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Nelly Robinson (pictured) moved to Australia in 2010 to pursue his passion, after working under Michelin starred chefs back home in Lancashire, northern England
The government has invested $320 billion in financial aid to help Australians during the crisis, but people in Mr Robinson’s position aren’t entitled to a cent – even though he’s been living and paying tax in Australia for a decade.
‘My family’s here. My two dogs are here – who are technically my children. My wife is here. My house is here,’ Mr Robinson told A Current Affair.
Returning to England isn’t an option, and he doesn’t want it to become his only choice.
‘I love this country,’ he said. ‘I’ve contributed to this country a lot. I do a lot of charity work. In a time of need, we’re not being looked after and it hurts, massively.’
An estimated one million Australians were put out of work during the COVID-19 pandemic, while an additional 1.1 million foreign workers are ineligible for government support.
‘My family’s here. My two dogs are here – who are technically my children. My wife is here. My house is here,’ Mr Robinson said. Pictured with his wife and two dogs
Nelly Robinson worked hard to open his own fine dining restaurant, Nel, in Surry Hills in 2015. Pictured: Samples of his food from the menu
Prime Minister Scott Morrison suggested any non-Australian who cannot financially support themselves through the crisis head home.
Mr Robinson said he and his family weren’t seeking a handout. They just want enough to get by until they can return to business as usual.
‘We’re not asking for $750 a week. We’re asking for enough to pay for food on the table and we need a rent freeze,’ he said.
Rockpool Dining’s Neil Perry described the government’s stance as un-Australian.
‘I think in a way it’s very un-Australian. I honestly think the government’s doing a brilliant job, but we have to open our hearts to everybody,’ he said.
‘What is Australian? What isn’t Australian? I couldn’t tell you. But what I know is it’s not human,’ Mr Robinson added.
Despite the closure of his restaurant, Mr Robinson is still paying his staff and suppliers, but the company is now operating at a loss.
He personally sponsors four of his staff, meaning if they were to be stood down, they’d have 28 days to leave the country.
Mr Robinson said he and his family weren’t seeking a handout. They just want enough to get by until they can return to business as usual