Extra COVID Support For Our Local Small Businesses

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has today said that local businesses, workers and the performing arts across the Kiama electorate are set to benefit from a major financial support package worth more than $1 billion to help the hardest hit get through the Omicron wave.

Mr Ward has welcomed the package, which includes $700 million for the Small Business Support Program, providing payroll assistance to businesses to help them stay afloat.

“I have been calling on the NSW Government to better support our local small businesses during this pandemic and I am pleased they have listened,” he said.

“This package shows that the NSW Government continues to back residents and businesses across our region with practical measures that will help them survive this outbreak.

“The suite of measures includes financial support for employing small business to buy rapid antigen tests (RATs) to help their workers stay safe.

“The package also extends the Commercial Landlord Hardship Grant and delivers additional funding for the performing arts sector.

“The Small Business Support Program helps those businesses with annual turnover of between $75,000 and $50 million with a decline in turnover of at least 40 per cent.

“It provides eligible businesses a lump sum payment of 20 per cent of weekly payroll with a minimum payment of $500 per week and a maximum payment of $5,000 per week.

“In addition, the existing Small Business Fees, Charges and RAT Rebate will be increased by 50% from the current $2,000 limit to $3,000 and employing businesses will be able to use the rebate to obtain RATs. 

“This will support worker availability by helping reduce costs to small businesses and enabling healthy staff who have been exposed to COVID-19, but test negative, to return to work,” Mr Ward concluded.

For more information, please visit the website at: www.nsw.gov.au.