MORRISON’S UNFAIR RULES LEAVE BUSHFIRE HIT SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE LURCH

January 15, 2020

As the bushfire recovery continues, Labor is calling on the Morrison Government to provide immediate assistance for small businesses and workers who have lost income as a result of the devastating bushfires.
 
Small businesses and workers across bushfire-affected areas are telling us that while shopfronts are still standing, many have lost their livelihoods due to the ongoing bushfires, and are facing continued economic uncertainty.
 
Under the Morrison Government’s absurd guidelines, only businesses whose premises or equipment have been directly damaged by fire are eligible for assistance. 
 
This does nothing for the hundreds of small businesses who have borne the brunt of spoiled stock and the loss of their entire customer base, despite not being physically struck by the bushfires.
 
Some owners say they will be forced to close before the end of January if they are not given immediate support.
 
But when they have gone to the Morrison Government for help, they have been knocked back.
 
Family businesses are the backbone of our towns, and their hardworking owners and staff deserve support.
 
Now, more than ever, we need to be investing in these communities.
 
The bushfire crisis is a national emergency requiring a national response and Labor is calling on the Morrison Government to ensure small businesses and workers who have lost income as a result of the bushfires are provided immediate assistance through the National Bushfire Recovery Agency.

This follows Labor’s calls yesterday that consideration should be given to initiatives such as the Prime Minister’s Business Taskforce, created after the 2011 Queensland floods, which brought together 10 eminent business people to provide a direct line of advice to Government.
 
Australians are scared and worried about the bushfires, but Scott Morrison has refused to show national leadership.
 
People in bushfire-affected areas cannot afford to wait. They need help now.