Lachlan’s Parramatta: Staff at Old Government House Parramatta ineligible for JobKeeper
A “cruel” tax loophole is stopping staff at a landmark restaurant from securing JobKeeper payments.
Parramatta
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A tax loophole is stopping staff at Lachlan’s Parramatta from securing JobKeeper payments and has them worried about the future of the history-steeped restaurant.
Nine employees at the Parramatta Park dining institution discovered they were ineligible for the federal government’s JobKeeper payments since coronavirus forced restaurants to shut because rules stipulated staff have to be employed as of March 1.
Despite them being employed at this time, the business changed that day from the original owner Andrew Coulson to manager Martin Homann, who registered the business name under Anderson 6908.
To their disbelief, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) told the restaurant’s accountant if the business had changed hands a day before, they would be covered by the $1500 fortnightly payments like their hospitality counterparts across the country.
Mr Homann said the business was only making $80 shortly before the official lockdown because the public was too anxious to dine out but hoped JobKeeper could assist even if trade was slow when the restaurant reopened in June.
“It (JobKeeper’s) a fantastic idea but I don’t think it was properly communicated and that’s why I gave it to our accountant,’’ he said.
“All of my nine staff have told me they are struggling to make ends meet with no income.
“Some of them are like the furniture. Lachlan’s has a certain ethos and feel to it.’’
Lachlan’s waitress Bela Thomas has been eligible for JobKeeper since her husband died in 2016 but must work 30 hours a fortnight to qualify for a subsidy on her medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
The Blacktown resident is also concerned for her workmates who face mounting bills without an income.
“I think it’s a bit unfair that not all staff ineligible,’’ she said.
“A lot of them have worked there for 15 years so what difference should one day make?’’
Parramatta federal Labor MP Julie Owens has called on Mr Frydenberg to intervene immediately over the “ridiculous situation’’.
“It is a Parramatta institution and its long-serving staff almost missed out on support due to a cruel loophole in the government’s legislation,’’ she said.
“Like 1.1 million casuals and 1.2 million visa holders, the staff at Lachlan’s are finding out just how many workers are being left behind by the Morrison Government’s JobKeeper package and the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg can fix this with the stroke of a pen.”
Mr Homann said he was optimistic the problem would be resolved after contacting Mr Frydenberg’s office this week.
The ATO is also reviewing the matter
“We will get through this,’’ Mr Homann said.
“It’s just a matter of how we get through this. I can’t afford to have these huge expenses and not have an income.’’
Old Government House is where the 10 original governors of the colony of NSW lived.
