Wagga MP Joe McGirr has welcomed new $10,000 grants for small businesses that have been hardest hit by the coronavirus.
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Dr McGirr said businesses had the option to use the money to develop a plan to make it through the pandemic and the health restrictions on normal trading.
"It will help some businesses who haven't already shut, it will help them continue, so it is welcome in that respect," he said.
"They have mentioned, gyms, cafes and restaurants, but I would suggest there are a number of retail businesses that have had a significant downturn.
"There are some areas that have had a significant downturn, such as businesses associated with sports, so I will be looking to make sure those businesses can benefit from it."
The NSW government will put $750 million into the Small Business Support Fund as part of a third wave of support measures for small businesses.
To be eligible, businesses will need to:
- Have between 1-19 employees and a turnover of more than $75,000;
- A payroll below the NSW Government 2019-20 payroll tax threshold of $900,000;
- Have an Australian Business Number as at 1 March 2020, be based in NSW and employ staff as at 1 March 2020;
- Be highly impacted by the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 issued on 30 March 2020;
- Use the funding for unavoidable business costs such as utilities, overheads, legal costs and financial advice;
- Provide appropriate documentation upon application.
Dr McGirr said many businesses had "worked hard to reinvent themselves" so they could continue trading during the pandemic, such as restaurants moving to takeaway services and florists offering deliveries.
"There have been a range of government measures announced at state and federal level; it is quite complex," he said.
"I am encouraging people to contact me and I make people aware of what is available but I also say to them 'you have got to sit down with your accountant.
"[The new small business grants] can be used to pay for accountant's fees.
"Navigating this and managing this in terms of your cash flow can be done, but it is complicated."
Dr McGirr said businesses could also get support from the Service NSW Business Concierge.
NSW Premier Berejiklian said the new fund was based on the scheme rolled-out during the recent NSW bushfires, which provided $42 million to 4200 businesses within the first ten days of launching.
"This is about getting cash into small businesses when they are struggling right now in the face of an unprecedented situation," Ms Berejiklian said.
These grants will provide a big boost, and we will make the application process easy to ensure small businesses can receive some cash-flow as soon as possible to meet pressing needs."
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