Monday is an important day for Queensland businesses but there is still work to do
Queensland businesses are on Monday able to take one of their most significant steps in their long-term recovery since the start of the COVID-19 economic crisis in Queensland.
After close to two years of economic uncertainty, restrictions to trade, disruptions to supply chain chains and labor markets, Queensland is this week expected to reach the 80% vaccination target which means state borders will re-open on Monday December 13 and some restrictions to business and travel eased.
While there is still work to do between government and businesses to allow the economy to effectively recover long-term, the state border re-opening milestone means Queensland SMEs are able to begin working under new COVID business as usual conditions.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) Policy and Advocacy General Manager Amanda Rohan said Queensland businesses had adapted, diversified, pivoted and in many cases completely changed how they operated to make sure they could stay open.
“The Queensland business sector has changed over the past two years in ways nobody thought we’d need or be able to,” Ms Rohan said.
“For some, it meant they couldn’t continue operating the way they were so they changed and their ability to adapt to consumer needs and government rules which allowed them to still be in business today is deserving of acknowledgement.
“For others, it meant they didn’t survive and the economic impact to those businesses was beyond their ability to continue trading, regardless of how hard they tried or how willing they were to adapt.”
Ms Rohan said impacted businesses still needed details on how new rules would apply to them from December 17.
“These new rules will be part of the new COVID businesses as usual conditions but businesses need to be supported and protected to operate legally,” Ms Rohan said.
“In particular, they need to know how Rapid Antigen Testing as a first line of defense to protect their staff and customers will apply to them and what happens if a positive COVID case attends their premises.
“Finally, to plan long term, businesses need to know what the next vaccine milestone is, when we’re expected to reach it and how it impacts them.”
Ms Rohan said Queensland communities had an important role in supporting businesses this Christmas especially.
“My challenge to communities across the state is to support local businesses wherever they are able to, especially small businesses,” Ms Rohan said.
“Now is the time for us to be doing our part to help Queensland businesses recover from emotional and financial toll of COVID, to ensure those businesses are still there in the future when we need them.
“Communities can be shopping from local businesses while other organizations can be supporting the industry by sourcing goods and stock from Queensland SMEs where they can.
“There are close to half a million small businesses in Queensland so there is plenty to choose from.”
What we’ve been doing at CCIQ
Since the beginning of the COVID economic crisis in Queensland, CCIQ has been at the forefront supporting businesses through the issues of today and advocating for better business conditions for today and tomorrow.
Advocacy
Close to half a million Queensland businesses have access to $2.3 billion in COVID relief grants, loans, tax relief and fee waivers and deferrals through CCIQ and Queensland chamber advocacy efforts.
CCIQ’s advocacy team has engaged every Queensland MP to make sure the State Government is aware of Queensland business needs. Help CCIQ keep business interests at the forefront of government policy decision making.
CCIQ’s HR team has supported more than 5200 Queensland businesses and CCIQ members through close to 20,000 human resources and industrial relations challenges.
ecoBiz
More than 550 businesses have been able to prepare for their future competitive advantage and resilience by moving towards carbon neutrality and sustainability with CCIQ’s ecoBiz program.
International
CCIQ issued more than 84,500 certificates of origin to 871 Queensland businesses to export goods to 144 international markets.
Cyber Health
Thousands of businesses improved their cyber security through free resources and workshops as part of CCIQ’s Cyber Health program.
Become a CCIQ member to share in these benefits and join Queensland’s most established business network.
CCIQ media contact
Emma Clarke
Media and Communications Advisor
[email protected] | 0403 944 902