Queensland businesses and their workers facing extended lockdown going into the weekend are among the only in the country without a State Government commitment to recovery support or compensation for their losses.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) is calling on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to acknowledge the impact the lockdown is having on small businesses and their workers.
“How many small businesses will have to close and how many workers will have to lose their jobs before the impact is recognized and compensation is committed,” CCIQ Policy and Advocacy General Manager Amanda Rohan said.
“Without a commitment to support these businesses, the reality is many will not survive. They need support to make decisions now.
“Business owners are telling us this lockdown could be the nail in their trading coffin if they aren’t offered support. One business owner told us they have $500 left after a pretty rough six months and this lockdown may be the end.
“Others are telling us they can’t pay wages and bills, describing the lockdown as not only devastating but fatal for many small to medium sized enterprises. They are financially and emotionally exhausted.
“We’re calling on the Premier to maintain a commitment to small business so they won’t have to keep going it alone during COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions and so they have promised support to stay in business and keep their staff in jobs.
“We acknowledge there is an immediate need to keep communities safe but there is also an immediate need to keep the business sector safe so these communities have an economy to rely on in the future.”
CCIQ has been calling for payments of up to $25,000 under a COVID-19 Hotspot Recovery Package for affected businesses to cover loss of stock and trade and support the reinstatement of business operations since the March greater Brisbane lockdown.
Calls for the package were renewed this week – with more than 95% support from surveyed businesses. This is the third lockdown this year, the second since JobKeeper ended.
Ms Rohan said National Cabinet support with a plan for all state and territories to address lockdowns and border closures – the most significant impacts on business’ ability to recover, grow and diversify – was essential.
“It’s encouraging to see a national four step plan is being considered in National Cabinet but we need more details to understand how effective it will be in delivering certainty to businesses,” Ms Rohan said.
“Businesses need a clear plan that all state and territories agree on to address COVID-19 long term because we know the immediacy of a snap lockdown creates significant operational issues for businesses forced to close. It can take a significant amount of time for businesses to recoup or in some cases even maintain an ability to stay in business.
“Economic recovery is a marathon and we need recovery support to go the distance not just now but to provide long-term certainty.
“Without on-going support for businesses and their staff, these snap lockdowns like we are witnessing this week and the lack of clarity and certainty they bring is limiting recovery.”
Ms Rohan said a national COVID-19 recovery plan needed to include overarching implications like businesses’ hygiene and contact tracing obligations, the vaccination roll-out and border closures, to allow people to move about the country and support business confidence on a national level.
“It is crucial support is made available to help transform the business economy, especially in regional areas,” Ms Rohan said.
“It’s more important than ever to focus on priorities that grow our economy for the long-term while making sure those impacted during COVID-19 lockdowns are compensated.”
