State and Federal governments make moves to stop virus job losses

The Federal government will pump billions into the economy with new a stimulus packages, staving off further redundancies that were expected in Townsville this morning.

A NEW $66 billion stimulus package is already helping people keep their jobs in Townsville.

Coronavirus has brought Townsville businesses, particularly the tourism, events and hospitality sector to its knees, with more than 300 people already losing their jobs.

In a desperate move Townsville Enterprise wrote to all levels of government on Saturday pleading for more help to keep local businesses afloat. Yesterday the Federal Government unveiled $66 billion worth of measures, including relief for retirees and a new wage or “safety net” for workers who lose their jobs.

It included millions of dollars in assistance for small businesses too.

Townsville Enterprise chief executive officer Patricia O’Callaghan said on the back of yesterday’s announcement TEL had confirmation some local businesses had halted decisions around staff redundancies – some that were to take place as early as this morning.

“The package not just provides some certainty in an exceptionally uncertain world, but also provides some hope to our local business community that they can hold on,” she said.

On Saturday, Ms O’Callaghan said between 500 and 1000 jobs in the city could be lost this week in the tourism, events and hospitality sectors.

“The package reflects the feedback from our local business community that was included in the economic action plan we delivered to our federal and state MPs about the critical need for cashflow initiatives, wage subsidies, loans and support for sole traders to help ride these extraordinary circumstances out,” she said after yesterday’s second stimulus package was announced, “We have been strong in our message to government that every day counts.”

Townsville MP Scott Stewart said Townsville Enterprise’s suggestions of providing cash injections to small to medium businesses, suspending payroll tax and slashing power bills were also raised with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. He said levels of concern had escalated rapidly in the space of a week – with thousands filling the new Queensland Country Bank for the Cowboys’ first game of the season to now facing major restrictions in restaurants, pubs and clubs the week after – highlighting the importance of acting quickly to protect jobs.

“If you think where we were last week there wasn’t such a level of concern. This is going to have a huge impact and it’s vitally important we do everything we can to keep people in jobs,” he said.

Originally published as State and Federal governments make moves to stop virus job losses