Annual license payment relief due for small businesses impacted during restrictions
Annual license payment relief is needed for Queensland businesses forced to close during lockdowns or dramatically decrease their trade capacity during COVID-19 restrictions.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) is calling for acknowledgement of the impact of lockdowns and restrictions on businesses and fee and license payment relief for those suffering decreased trading again this year.
CCIQ Policy and Advocacy Manager Cherie Josephson said liquor and gaming license fee relief and support for the 2020-21 financial year ended when some businesses were in lockdown.
“While their doors were locked, staff sent home, stock orders sent to waste and income reduced to zero during the last lockdown in June and July, some businesses were sent bills for their annual license fees,” Ms Josephson said.
“Businesses are telling us it’s diabolical to expect through restrictions to trade businesses are sent license payment notices. Through reduced capacity, limited customer demand and lockdowns, they have no income to pay these bills, on top of ongoing staff, rent and utilities, but they’re still receiving license payment notices.
“These businesses have not financially or emotionally recovered from the impact of restrictions and we’re calling for license support and relief to be extended into the new financial year.
“These fees need to be waived, not deferred, so impacted businesses don’t have to face a debt down the track.”
Ms Josephson said there needed to be a continued reduction in red tape and the cost of compliance in economic conditions that have not yet recovered from COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.
“We know the financial impact of even a three-day lockdown can take businesses many weeks or months to recover, many of which are yet to return to operating levels in line with March 2020,” she said.
“While these businesses are waiting for certainty around lockdown and restriction decision making, they must be afforded license relief to maintain compliance to operate during their recovery and journey back to resilience and competitiveness.
“It’s important for businesses to be able to share how COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions impact them so support packages and policies can be developed to best suit their needs. Businesses can contribute to CCIQ’s Pulse Survey to have their voice heard.”
Ms Josephson said there was still no sign of certainty as to what support would be on the table should businesses be placed in another lockdown.
“We are still waiting for the detail on how businesses impacted during lockdowns and restrictions to trade will be supported in the future to pay ongoing bills, maintain their commitment to staff and get back to business,” Ms Josephson said.
“To secure long-term business sector and consumer confidence, and support businesses in their recovery, there needs to be clear details about eligibility, guidelines, application process, timelines and aims of any assistance.
“Without this information, businesses could be facing another potential lockdown with uncertainty of their ability to maintain future business operations and staff.”
For details about CCIQ’s Pulse Survey and to take part, see here.
CCIQ media contact
Emma Clarke
Media and Communications Advisor
[email protected] | 0403 944 902