Coronavirus: Billions added to job-save actions

Secondary stimulus packages are being rolled out across the country, with the states committing billions­ of dollars to job-saving measures.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian in Sydney on Thursday. Picture: AAP

Secondary stimulus packages are being rolled out across the country, with the states committing billions­ of dollars to job-saving measures including payroll and land tax relief and the waiving of liquor­ licensing fees and gaming taxes for the nation’s embattled hospitality sector.

The Berejiklian government will announce on Friday the second stage of its package for NSW, the state hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, as it attempts to cushion the economic blow.

Under the plan, $1bn would be dedicated to creating a Working for NSW fund to help create new jobs for the rapidly rising number of newly unemployed people.

Gaming taxes for pubs, clubs, hotels­ and lotteries would be deferred­ under the scheme for six months to help them stay afloat, under the proviso that the money saved was spent on staff retention.

Rents for commercial tenants with fewer than 20 employees would also be suspended in all ­government-owned properties until the end of September, while $30m would go to boosting the Energy Accounts Payments Assistance scheme to help those struggling to cover utility bills. 

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the stimulus funding, which comes on top of a $2.3bn package announced last week, was designed to provide relief for business and help them retain staff.

‘‘These are unprecedented times and if we are to emerge in the best shape possible, we need to ensure­ businesses keep their heads above water and keep employees on the books,” Mr Barilaro said. “Now is the time for all of us to work together, support each other, show compassion and lend a hand wherever we can to those hurting.

“We will do whatever it takes to help businesses stay afloat so that they can hold on to as many jobs as possible as we get through this crisis­. We will also be there to support­ those most vulnerable, to ensure no one is left behind.”

With schools fast resembling ghost towns as parents pull their children out of class, the Marshall government in South Australia has announced four pupil-free days before the start of holidays on Good Friday, April 10, for teachers to fine-tune online learning while still keeping schools open in line with the commonwealth position.

This mirrors the trend across Adelaide’s private schools, most of which have now moved to remote learning and are requesting that parents keep their children home where possible.

With SA having brought out the first state-based stimulus package, worth $350m, two weeks ago, Premier Steven Marshall allocated another $650m on Thursday through the Jobs Rescue Package to bolster the economy, with the promise of more to come.

“We know South Australians are hurting,” he said. “In the space of a few weeks, in some cases overnight, once thriving local businesses and their staff are now facing uncertain futures through no fault of their own and my government is stepping up to make sure we see them through this period.”

The key planks of the rescue package are the $300m Business and Jobs Support Fund and the $250m Community and Jobs Support Fund. Mr Marshall called the crisis the “greatest national emergency of our generation”.