CCIWA CEO

Chris Rodwell

 

Applications have opened for $3,000 support payments to WA small businesses impacted by the recent State lockdown. CCIWA welcomed the notable step-up in support offered for previous lockdowns and the extension of payments to impacted regional businesses, achieved through CCIWA’s close consultation with Government. However, it is disappointing to learn that WA’s smallest businesses will not benefit, with those earning less than $75,000 in revenue excluded from the scheme.

Further, only businesses in industries specifically nominated by the State Government can apply.

This approach could exclude enterprises as varied as start-ups, sole traders and micro businesses, specialty retail stores, distillers, cellar-doors and brewers, wildlife parks, physiotherapy, remedial massage clinics and allied health professionals, and certain manufacturers.

These criteria were not made clear to the business community before the applications opened. There is no evident need for excluding these types of businesses, as CCIWA proposed that any businesses under the $4m payroll threshold should be eligible for support, if they have been impacted by the lockdowns.

Particularly in light of the continued financial windfall from global commodity markets, we urge the State Government to extend lockdown support to encompass more of WA’s hard-hit small business community.