The National Retail Association (NRA) has today acknowledged payroll tax relief as a good start, but urged the state government to provide further assistance to help struggling small business.
NRA CEO Dominque Lamb said that the package contained some worthwhile measures, but any second-round stimulus package from the state government would have to go much further to stop more Queensland businesses hitting the wall.
“Payroll tax relief for all business is certainly a welcome measure, however, it only benefits those whose wage bill exceeds $1.3 million each financial year so small business requires more help,” Ms Lamb said.
“Rebates on power bills for sole traders and SMEs is better than nothing, but further assistance will be needed if we want to minimise the number of Queensland businesses lost during this period of unprecedented economic upheaval.
“Should a second-round of stimulus from the Queensland Government be announced, the NRA would like to see greater rent relief measures to incentivise landlords to assist tenants, deferral of land tax payments in 2020 for small business, and the establishment of a business support fund for sectors hit the hardest.
“We would also like to see a comprehensive fund to assist workers who have lost their jobs. This would mean expanding the announcement made today to include industries that do not require people to move to other parts of the state.
“The Government should also provide special leave to workers who do not have annual leave or access to leave entitlements in Queensland and who cannot work as a result of being stood down or placed in quarantine due to Covid-19.”