6 | AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2021
COMMENT
www.coastba.com.au
with EMMA MCBRIDE
Businesses Need More During Lockdown There are also hundreds of businesses who are still waiting for their applications to be processed. They need support now. They also need a way forward. A plan for recovery and measures to help them get back on their feet. We will get out of this lockdown, but until then we need to make sure business owners can access support when they need it. They can’t afford to wait.
EMMA MCBRIDE ocal businesses are the backbone of our community. They create local jobs and they drive the economy through construction, hospitality, retail, and tourism. Thankfully, some are operational right now but unfortunately, many have been forced to wind back services or close entirely because of lockdown. When stay-at-home orders were first issued on the Central Coast during the peak school holiday period two months ago, local businesses were hit hard. They were left with bills to pay, cancellations to process and little certainty about the future. Unfortunately, we’re now at the end of August and not much has changed. The Government’s financial support measures have been a welcome relief to many businesses, but there are countless others who are slipping through the cracks. I heard from a local beauty therapist whose business is under the threshold for Government support and who found out through social media that her business would have to close with a few hours’ notice. She told me being forced to seek government support for the first time in her life was confusing and frustrating, and the uncertainty about the length of the lockdown was adding to her stress. While her partners business did qualify for support, he hadn’t received any money by week 5 of lockdown. Then there’s people like Ben. Ben is a local musician, studying a Bachelor of Music at the University of Newcastle. He’s a sole trader and, since he’s unable to do live performances during lockdown, he tried to apply for a business support grant. Unfortunately, he was also below
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Accessing Support
Emma McBride MP at local cafe Toast & Co, The Entrance. Supporting local businesses during lockdown.
It’s devastating to see local businesses and industries suffer like this. Things are hard enough right now, without having to worry about being eligible for Government support.
the threshold for Government support. He told me, it will take a long time for the live music scene to recover from this lockdown and the effects of the shutdown will be felt for many years to come.
Businesses and sole traders who have been affected by lockdown can apply for the 2021 COVID-19 Business Grant. Grants of up to $15,000 are available for businesses who have an annual turnover of $75,000 and have seen a decline of 30 per cent or more. This grant will cover you for the first three weeks of lockdown (26 June–17 July, 2021). From week 4 of lockdown (July 18), you can also access the JobSaver scheme. Eligible businesses will receive fortnightly payments to cover wages, rent, and utilities. The payment will be equivalent to 40 per cent of the weekly payroll, with a minimum of $1,500 available. You can find more information and apply online via Service NSW. If you need assistance accessing Government support, you can contact my office at Emma.McBride.MP@aph.gov.au. If you need mental health support during this time, there are services available to you. Please call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
Emma McBride is Federal Member for Dobell Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health Shadow Assistant Minister for Carers
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Authorised by Emma McBride, ALP, 204/1 Bryant Drive, Tuggerah NSW 2259.
