NT businesses say they’re grateful for JobKeeper aid, but prepared for recent payment cuts

BUSINESS owners and peak representative bodies have welcomed the benefits spurred on by JobKeeper, saying it had kept doors open and people employed.

• Nearly 2000 Northern Territory businesses relying on JobKeeper, which is being cut today

BUSINESS owners and peak representative bodies have welcomed the benefits spurred on by JobKeeper, saying it had kept doors open and people employed.

However, NT Chamber of Commerce chief executive Greg Ireland said while the payments had been helpful, it was unrealistic for the federal government to continue the payments.

Mr Ireland said businesses were informed and had had plenty of time to prepare for the subsidy reductions.

“I guess we’ve been saying for some time that businesses need to be very aware that this day was coming and to have been planning for this payment to roll back,” he said.

“We believe that not every business had heeded that advice and some may be ­struggling.”

JobKeeper payments were reduced on Monday from $1200 to $1000 per fortnight for workers on more than 20 hours per week.

For employees working fewer than 20 hours a week, JobKeeper payments will drop from $750 to $650 a fortnight.

Mr Ireland said Territorians and other Australians holidaying at home had spent locally, helping line the pockets of struggling businesses.

Wilis Dewa-Ayu, Milton Lin and Shandi Huang from Cafe Central are thankful for public support. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said many businesses had moved off JobKeeper over the past few months as locals supported neighbourhood venues.

Mr Bruce said the real test for hospitality businesses would be when JobKeeper stopped altogether.

“Our lowest time of the year is February and March and we’re heading into it when people have less money in their back pockets and businesses that haven’t been able to fully recover,” he said.

Cafe Central at Rapid Creek continues to access JobKeeper to support staff.

Owner Daniel Treacy said while he felt the hospitality industry was booming right now, he was cautious about the year ahead.

“It’s been a great safety net, definitely through the middle of the year it was a saviour,” said Mr Treacy, who has six staff who are supported through JobKeeper.

The Original Jumping Crocodile Cruises owner Tony Blums said JobKeeper was welcomed but he would have been fine without it.

“It is appreciated what they’ve done and it’s a good thing. It wouldn’t have saved us as we didn’t need saving,” Mr Blums said.

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Litchfield Motel owner Janet McElwee had to shut the Rum Jungle Tavern due to COVID-19 while the motel is still open.

Two of her staff are on JobKeeper.

“Any help with paying wages is brilliant … we can stay open and keep people in jobs,” she said.