‘I’m looking to sell my house so we can stay afloat’: Darwin company facing closure as JobKeeper end looms

THE owners of a Darwin business servicing cruise ships could be forced to sell their homes to avoid going bust when JobKeeper ends next month

• Darwin publican Jason Hanna fears JobKeeper job loss ‘tidal wave’ as changes kick in for payments
• Why JobSeeker and JobKeeper changes will test Australian economy

THE owners of a Darwin business servicing cruise ships at Fort Hill Wharf could be forced to sell their homes to avoid going bust when JobKeeper ends next month.

After 30 years in business, Darwin brothers Chris and George Cleanthous of C&G Management Services are facing closure.

The company, which normally works with 50-70 ships a year, was forced to shrink from 30 staff to 12 during COVID-19.

MORE TOP NEWS

Sites named for game changing Darwin seafood processing facility

Warnings issued as moderate flooding expected in the Top End, Daly River residents asked to prepare

Disgraced MLA Mark Turner should do his ‘bloody’ job and double down on representing Blain or resign: Gunner

The remaining 12, who are all on JobKeeper, may be forced out of work when the initiative ends on March 28.

“Businesses like ours that heavily rely on overseas tourism desperately still need support,” Chris said.

George and Chris Cleanthous's company is facing closure. Picture: CHE CHORLEY

“Now it’s looking like we won’t get any overseas cruise ships until the end of the year.

“I’m looking to sell my house so we can stay afloat.”

About 4600 Territorians were still relying on JobKeeper at the end of 2020, according to the Australian Taxation Office.

In a survey conducted by Tourism Top End, 35 per cent of respondents said the end of JobKeeper would mean they would have to sack staff and sadly a further 5 per cent anticipate they would be forced to close.

General manager Glen Hingley said there were many quality tourism businesses in the NT that, through no fault of their own, still needed some form of continued support.

Tourism Top End general manager Glen Hingley. Picture: Che Chorley

NT Chamber of Commerce chief executive Greg Ireland said he anticipated many more businesses would begin cutting back operating hours, particularly in the hospitality sector.

“There will definitely be some more tough times ahead,” Mr Ireland said.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has ruled out extending JobKeeper beyond March.

“More than $80bn is already out the door, and it’s helped to support more than 3.5m Australians,” he said.

HOT NEW DEAL: Read everything for 28 days for just $1

Solomon MP Luke Gosling believes the cut was too soon.

“JobKeeper is a temporary scheme, but we’re experiencing an ongoing national recession and Territory businesses are still struggling due to the impacts of COVID-19,” he said.

Follow @tashemeck