Victoria businesses get $400m lifeline for week long lockdown, but QLD told to wait until extension

Queensland businesses will get extra financial support if the lockdown is extended but for now certain parts of the sector only have access to the state government’s one-off $5000 payment.

Queensland businesses will get extra financial support if the lockdown is extended but for now certain parts of the sector only have access to the state government’s one-off $5000 payment.

Meanwhile, the Victorian Government and the Commonwealth announced on Friday afternoon — less than 24 hours into the state’s sixth lockdown — a $400m tailored business support package that includes help for sole traders.

Queensland’s fourth lockdown of 2021, due to end on Sunday, will have gone for a total of eight days, while Victoria’s is for now set at a week.

The state government’s $260m support package, due to open to applications in mid-August, provides a $5000 payment to eligible small businesses across Queensland and to large hospitality businesses in the lockdown zones.

Individuals who have lost work hours due to the lockdown will be able to apply for the federal government’s Covid-19 disaster payment from Saturday, August 7.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg confirmed he had spoken to state counterpart Cameron Dick on Friday afternoon.

“We discussed that if the lockdown was extended we would look at a joint business support package consistent with the approach we have taken with other states,” he said.

A spokesman for Mr Dick had earlier in the day said they would be seeking federal support similar to what was being offered to Victoria should the lockdown be extended and flagged the federal treasurer had said Commonwealth support would kick in after 14 days.

Restaurant and Catering Industry chief executive Wes Lambert said the hospitality industry was “bewildered” as to why the state government had not gone further and announced larger business support grants knowing further snap lockdowns were likely.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli slammed the state government for “blatantly ignoring” small business owners and said it was clear there had been no plans put it place in case of more lockdowns.

“We need a financial package that is fit for purpose based on a sliding-scale, not a one sized fits few model,” he said.