In Parliament

Members Statement - Small Business Support

MEMBERS STATEMENT

‘SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT’.

Wednesday, 6 October 2021.

Mr NEWBURY (Brighton):

At a time when Victorian businesses are doing it incredibly tough, the Labor Government is cutting financial support for hard-done small businesses. It is outrageous.

Numerous businesses have contacted me, concerned about Round 5 of the Business Costs Assistance Program. They advise that non-employing business payments were cut from $2,800 to $1,000 on 1 October.

We know the shocking track record of the Government on business support. In Round 1 of the program only 12 per cent of all small businesses were eligible; in Round 2, 16 per cent; and Round 3, 13 per cent.

Five out of six small businesses were left behind with no support.

As one business owner has said to me, ‘No restrictions are easing and we are still are unable to work, so our question is: how are we supposed to survive?’.