Small to medium sized Ballarat businesses will be among 90,000 businesses across the state to share in more than $250 million of new lockdown support funding.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On day three of the seven-day circuit-breaker lockdown, Victoria's acting premier James Merlino and treasurer Tim Pallas announced the $250.7 million Circuit Breaker Business Support Package while at the same time taking an unprecented swipe at Prime Minister and Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg for their lack of support for Victoria during lockdown.
"This (package) supports businesses who have been hardest hit by the circuit breaker lockdown. At the same time Victorian workers need support and that's where we needed Canberra to come to the table. I'm very sorry to say they have refused to do that," Mr Merlino said.
"We've asked multiple times for the federal government to support workers during this period and the unrelenting answer has been no.
"Victorian workers deserve more from the federal government and I'm beyond disappointed the answer from the prime minister and treasurer has been no."
Mr Pallas went even further, saying requests had been made to the Commonwealth Government four or five times over the past three or four days but the answer continued to be no.
"We hear a lot from the federal government about the need for us to work in partnership. We are not a silent partner, they are not a tangible partner and we need them to step up to the plate," he said.
It is estimated that the current seven-day lockdown will cost the state about $700 million.
"What we needed was the Commonwealth to make at least a comparable offer of support to working people. It was only yesterday we heard representatives of the federal government say they were the party for the workers. It would be really good if the self-styled party for the workers actually did some work for working people and provide them with the assistance they need, indeed that they require," Mr Pallas said.
"I'm angry and disappointed, disappointed because whilst all the language talks about partnership, it delivers nothing in real terms of people."
Under the state's Circuit Breaker Business Support Package, $190.01 million will be made available through the second round of the Business Costs Assistance Program through $2500 grants for eligible businesses directly affected by the circuit-breaker industry restrictions, including restaurants and cafes, event suppliers, accommodation providers and non-essential retailers.
A $40.7 million new round of the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund will provide businesses holding an eligible liquor licence and food certificate with a $3500 grant per premises to help with rent, wages and replenishing perishable foods affected by the lockdown.
And an allocation of $20 million will be dedicated to supporting operators in the events industry who have incurred losses due to the circuit-breaker restrictions.
OTHER COVID NEWS
Victoria's COVID testing commander Jeroen Weimar confirmed there were five new locally acquired COVID cases identified through testing on Saturday, and two in hotel quarantine.
Four of the five new cases were linked to previous cases, but one is so far a mystery case with no apparent link to either the City of Whittlesea or Port Melbourne clusters.
Our team of local journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the Ballarat community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark thecourier.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking news, sport and daily headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News