The Nationals leader and Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, wants to hear from local businesses who have been denied, or are still waiting for, Victorian Government COVID-19 support grants.
Mr Walsh said despite Daniel Andrews and the Labor Government spruiking businesses recovery support, desperately needed as a result of lockdowns and restrictions, the majority of impacted local businesses are being told they are ineligible.
“The farce of these promised Labor Government grants continues; while local businesses have their livelihoods destroyed by unnecessary snap lockdowns and restrictions,” he said.
“Many businesses across my electorate, and across all regional Victoria, are doing it particularly tough as people are choosing to cross the border to access supplies and services as the impact of restrictions is much less in NSW.
“Daniel Andrews has completely failed to acknowledge businesses cannot shut down for five days, with a few hours’ notice, simply by flicking off a light switch.
“Now, to make matters even worse, many local businesses have found they don’t meet the Labor Government’s criteria for funding support meant to help those impacted by the lockdown.”
Mr Walsh said The Nationals this week had have taken their concerns about the failure of this vital funding to Parliament.
“The Andrews Labor Government continues to demonstrate its complete inability to support local small businesses that have been decimated by repeated lockdowns,” he said.
“Four out of five Victorian businesses were not even eligible to apply for these spruiked government grants.
“Only $12 million of the Government’s $100 million allocated to sole traders was allocated by December last year.”
Mr Walsh said the party has also written to Industry Support and Recovery Minister, Martin Pakula, seeking answers.
“With these Labor government grants it appears to me the same businesses get most of the available grants, while those who fail at the last hurdle miss out every time – it’s simply not fair.”
If you have been unable to access a coronavirus grant please email peter.walsh@parliament.vic,gov.au
