Businesses desperate for details on support package commitment
Queensland business faced with uncertainty as to what State Government support will be offered should there be another COVID-19 lockdown need a commitment to secure confidence in the business sector.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) is still waiting to hear details of what would be on offer after Treasurer Cameron Dick said a seven-day period of lockdown would need to pass before business support would be provided.
CCIQ Policy and Advocacy Manager Cherie Josephson said businesses needed to be supported in their ability to survive lockdowns, to recover and be competitive and confident long-term.
“We are still waiting for 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.
She said being afforded certainty in what was on offer should there be another lockdown would go a long way in achieving that – assistance CCIQ had been calling for since March.
“The Treasurer reconfirmed assistance would be offered to struggling business after seven days of lockdown.
“While we maintain even short snap lockdowns, like the recent lockdown in South East Queensland and Townsville, can have significantly longer impacts on business’ ability to recover, we are still waiting for details as to what any assistance on the table would include.
“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.
“We know this uncertainty is damaging to business confidence and their ability to plan for the future so we’re calling on the State Government to commit to details of assistance the Treasurer referred to this week.
“We are hearing many small businesses are financially and emotionally exhausted, having endured their third lockdown this year and the second without JobKeeper or any other safety net of support. Many are paying staff out of their own pockets. They’re telling us they need certainty of support – before things take a turn for the worse.”
Ms Josephson said it was essential businesses were given clear and timely information about the State Government’s proposed support for business, as well as future lockdown decision making, restrictions and hygiene and contact tracing obligations, to ensure they were best placed to efficiently plan and adapt their operations and continue on their path to recovery.
“The Queensland Government needs to provide businesses with the much-needed certainty to empower businesses to survive the disruptions to trade while we all work to keep our communities safe."
CCIQ contact
Media and Communications Advisor
Emma Clarke
0403 944 902