CCIQ calling for State and Federal Government business disaster recovery support to consider extraordinary emotional and financial impacts

Thursday 10 March, 2022 | By: Emma Clarke

CCIQ calling for State and Federal Government business disaster recovery support to consider extraordinary emotional and financial impacts.

Queensland businesses suffering from the compounded impact of COVID in the workplace and the recent natural disaster are desperate for a support package considering the holistic view of the real emotional, physical and financial business impacts.  

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) has made a submission to the State Government and participated in key stakeholder discussions, calling for a relief and recovery package provided to disaster impacted business which considers the current economic circumstances of Queensland businesses. 

CCIQ is calling for support for disaster directly and indirectly impacted businesses:  

  • Timely activation, broadening and enhancement of standard business assistance for natural disasters  
  • Activation of the Australian Government Emergency Response Fund 
  • State and Commonwealth taxation and permits assistance  
  • Business continuity support package for ongoing recovery, including buy local vouchers, targeted industry support, and mental and financial counselling 

CCIQ Policy and Advocacy General Manager Amanda Rohan said many Queensland businesses already struggling through the impacts of COVID were now directly and indirectly impacted from extreme weather events which had a compounding impact on their operations and staff.   

“Once the immediacy of the impacts have passed it is important to focus on relief and recovery efforts and measures. Planning and communication of business relief and recovery is critical to provide certainty and clarity on support available,” Ms Rohan said.  

“Longer term recovery will require additional ongoing support, including programs to show when South East Queensland is back open for business, targeted industry support and mental and financial counselling services for impacted businesses. 

“The relief provided for this disaster must take into consideration due to the pandemic this disaster is unlike any other regarding businesses ability to rebound – these are extraordinary circumstances, for all businesses. 

“Now is the time for us all to be supporting Queensland to get back to business.” 

Ms Rohan said while the timely activation of recovery grants and loans for small businesses was welcome to alleviate some of the immediate direct flood impacts, and indirect impacts across the state, there was still work to do support long-term physical, emotional and financial business recovery.  

“There is a need for the maximum amounts for business assistance to be revised for future events to reflect current day market prices and ensure the relief is fit-for-purpose and also some business certainty their applications will be reviewed and funds available as quickly as possible,” Ms Rohan said. 

“What’s important now is the speed of recovery to allow these directly and indirectly impacted businesses the best chance to recover in the immediate and long-term.  

Read CCIQ’s Submission on the South East Queensland floods   

See support resources available for business.  

 

CCIQ media contact 

Emma Clarke  

Media and Communications Advisor 

[email protected]

Acknowledgement of Country

Business Chamber Queensland respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and custodians of the lands from across Queensland and the Torres Strait. We acknowledge the Jagera and Turrbal people as the Traditional Custodians of Meanjin (Brisbane), the lands where our office is located and the place we meet, work and learn. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.