It’s free to join the Victorian Chamber Community!

Sign up and receive the latest business news and updates, opportunities to network and shape Advocacy from Victoria’s largest and most influential partner.

It’s free to join the Victorian Chamber Community!

State steps up with business support

Today’s State Government announcement of a $250 million targeted business support package to compensate businesses for the devastating impact of this fourth COVID-19 lockdown will ease some of the anxiety and worry that businesses and workers have felt since Thursday’s news.

JUMP TO:
JUMP TO:

The Victorian Chamber has been advocating for this assistance since the lockdown was announced and has made many representations to State and Federal Government on behalf of our members. The State package includes:

  • $190 million for $2500 grants for businesses whose staff could not work from home with a payroll up to $10 million, including sole traders who can’t work as a result of restrictions
  • $40.7 million for $3500 grants for the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund and
  • $20m Events Support Fund for businesses impacted by cancelled bookings and shows.

The Victorian Chamber has put forward a four-point plan to protect our state from further COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdowns and restrictions that are forcing businesses to close:

  1. A ramped-up vaccine program. Victorians have embraced mass vaccinations, now let’s roll it out with urgency and at scale;
  2. Action and immediate work on a fit-for-purpose national quarantine facility at Avalon or Mickleham to stop COVID-19 escaping into our community from overseas;
  3. Everyone check-in and get tested if you have symptoms. Every business must have the state system up and working;
  4. We must shift our attitude to keeping business open and scrap the lockdown lever forever.

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:

“Victorian business owners will sleep easier tonight with the welcome news of State support. The support package won’t replace normal revenue, but will help to cover rent and perishable stock losses.

“The State has stepped up and we would like to see even more support from the Federal Government urgently, preferably in the form of a wage subsidy. When Australians needed support in 2020, both State and Federal Governments were there contributing $7 billion and $46 billion respectively. As we know, COVID-19 crosses borders and so should support for business and workers.

“This is a business and worker emergency. Most Victorian businesses will find a way to help their workers and we hope the Federal Government will assist in that.

“Today’s numbers are good, so let’s get restrictions removed by Friday, if not sooner, particularly for regional Victoria.”

Memberships for wherever you are in business

Hard times. Good times. Crunch time. Growth time. We’re here to support you at all those pivotal times in your business life. We’ve now tailored our range of memberships to fit wherever you are in business – today and well into the future.

Memberships for wherever you are in business

Restricted Page

You are being redirected to our login page!