Covid: SA Government announces $50m stimulus package involving cash grants and incentive vouchers

The state government released the details of a $50m support package for business still reeling from Covid restrictions as SA recorded 1740 new cases and five deaths. Get the latest.

A $50m financial support and stimulus package for South Australian businesses has been unveiled by the state government as the state recorded five more Covid deaths.

Premier Steven Marshall and Treasurer Rob Lucas released the details of the latest round of financial support as they announced 1740 new Covid cases and five deaths.

The deaths were a man in his 50s, a man in his 60s, two men in their 70s and a man in his 80s.

Despite feedback from local business owners that Friday’s easing of restrictions was “too little too late”, Premier Steven Marshall today announced that cash grants of $22,000, more Great State vouchers and CBD dining incentives would spearhead the latest government package.

Mr Marshall said the entirely state-government-funded package aimed to help businesses bounce back from the current hardships.

“I think it will give us this bounce out of the situation that we’ve had where many businesses have suffered from a lack of demand over the last four or six weeks,” Mr Marshall said.

“The number one thing that we can all be doing the South Australians at the moment is getting out and safely supporting our hospitality sector.”

Treasurer Rob Lucas and Premier Steven Marshall. Photo: AAP

The support grants will automatically be paid to previous recipients of the Tourism, Hospitality and Gym Grant and the Business Hardship Grant that begun in December last year.

Other businesses who have suffered a 30 per cent decline in turnover between January 10 and 30 in the tourism, hospitality and gym sectors, and 50 per cent in other areas, can apply online for grants.

While organisations have until March to apply for the grants, Treasurer Rob Lucas said thousands have already applied for help.

“In total, we’re looking at around about six-to-seven-thousand businesses which so far applied to the current round of assistance,” Mr Lucas said.

A further 160,000 Great State vouchers will be issued, including $100 for CBD accommodation, $50 regional stays and $200 and $100 for hosted tours and experiences.

Mr Marshall also announced that the Adelaide City Council will be given $1m for a citywide activation program dubbed ‘Adelaide Unleashed’, focused on bringing people back to the CBD.

“We’re going to provide free public transport from midday on Friday right through to midnight on Sunday night right throughout the Festival and Fringe period,” Mr Marshall said.

Business SA chief executive, Martin Haese, said the move was “strong and decisive”.

“We couldn’t be happier today for our members and the broader South Australian business community,” he said.

“The package provides support and injects the magic ingredient of confidence. It also provides the stimulus to get South Australians back utilising our fantastic accommodation and tourism experiences.”

The ACC will also receive $250,000 to double its StreetSide Activation Grant scheme, where $5000 incentives are provided to businesses to take advantage of the space outside their premises.

Property Council executive director Daniel Gannon said the package would benefit the CBD.

“Given the Adelaide CBD has faced disproportionately challenging circumstances, two further rounds of Great State vouchers in addition to dining vouchers will inject much needed activity into the city,” he said.

But Labor Treasury spokesman Stephen Mullighan said while the package was “of course welcome”, it “doesn’t go nearly far enough to help this industry recover and thrive”..

“That simply isn’t enough financial support going to enough people operating in this industry,” he said.

“We’re seeing yet another round of temporary grants to a select few who have been fortunate enough to get previous financial assistance, but there are thousands of businesses that haven’t qualified for government assistance.”