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Assistance package provides relief for some businesses impacted by recent COVID lockdown

21 February 2021

The Victorian Chamber welcomes today’s State Government announcement of a $143 million targeted business support package to compensate the sectors hardest hit by the recent COVID-19 lockdown.

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The Victorian Chamber has been advocating for this assistance since the lockdown was announced and have made many representations to government on behalf of our members and this has been reflected in the below package.

While some businesses and sectors will miss out, and the support won’t cover the total economic loss caused by lockdown, it is targeted and reasonably generous.
The package includes:

  • $92 million for $2,000 grants for hospitality venues (including food wholesale), event operators, and specific retail (hairdressers and florists) with a payroll of less than $3m.
  • $24.9 million to provide an additional $3,000 per premise to venues who have received a grant under the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund (recipients of this will not be eligible for the $92m assistance above).
  • $16.2 million for grants for accommodation providers who had cancellations with those who had 10 bookings or less receiving $2,250 and those with 11 bookings or more $4,500.
  • $10 million for 40,000 travel vouchers to encourage Victorians to visit greater Melbourne, and an extension of the successful regional travel voucher scheme with an additional 10,000 vouchers, which the Victorian Chamber has been calling for.

The Victorian Chamber encourages members to apply for all the assistance they are entitled to and we will provide further information on how to do this at victorianchamber.com.au.

To be attributed to Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Paul Guerra:

“Today’s announcement will be welcome news for the many businesses impacted by the recent lockdown, particularly those that had to cover the costs of lost perishables, booking cancellations and wages.

“Business looks forward, it doesn’t look back and the best support they can have right now is the ability to trade with certainty and confidence. Quarantine and contact tracing needs to evolve as COVID-19 evolves.

“The travel voucher program extension to cover all of Victoria will be music to the ears of CBD hotels and attractions, which are struggling without international and domestic visitors.

“Hopefully all Victorians continue to get out and support as many businesses as possible.

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