Some residents are seeking compensation from the NSW Government to help ease the financial burden after the Victorian Government introduced a hard border on December 31.
During the first border closure of 2020, the Southern Border Small Business Support Grant provided a $5000 or $10,000 grant to more than 2000 businesses.
But for some, it is simply not enough.
When the Riverine Herald approached the NSW Government asking if there were to be any more packages on the way, Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope offered the following response.
“The NSW Government is working hard to keep people, businesses and communities safe from COVID-19 and has committed $29 billion in economic, health and social support,” he said.
“The NSW budget handed down in November last year included a range of business support measures including payroll tax cuts worth $2.4 billion.
“From April, non-payroll tax paying businesses will also be eligible for up to $1500 in rebates against the cost of government fees and charges.
“Businesses across the state will soon benefit from the NSW Government’s Dine & Discover vouchers, designed to support the likes of restaurants, cafés, cinemas and cultural institutions.
“The most recent decision to close the southern border was made by the Victorian Government. State border lockdowns have consequences on businesses, on families and on communities.
“With no hot spots in NSW, it’s time all states listen to the needs of border communities and open up in a COVID-safe way.
“The NSW Government continues to closely monitor the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and is committed to supporting small businesses impacted by the pandemic.”
Other support for businesses provided by the government has included the waiving of deferred taxes, fees and levies, including payroll tax and licencing and registration fees, to support businesses.
The budget also included a permanent increase in the payroll tax-free threshold from $1 million to $1.2 million.
The NSW Government also cut the payroll tax rate from 5.45 per cent to 4.85 per cent from July 1, 2020, for two years.
Information on grants which are available to businesses and groups can be found at Murray Electorate Grant Finder (grantguru.com.au)
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