Thursday, 19 March 2020
Members statements
COVID-19
COVID-19
We are in uncharted waters, and we do not know what is coming, how long it will last for and what will be the outcome. However, we must remain calm and take each day at a time and look out for each other.
Many people are working from home, but for some this is not possible. Nurses, doctors, service delivery and hospitality, to name a few where your workplace cannot be relocated to home.
The concern of contracting the virus concerns many people, and they are genuinely concerned for any loss in their business, having to let go of staff or potentially never losing the business they have built. As recorded on the front of the Berwick Star News, Mush Rahaman a small business owner in the Gembrook electorate from La Baguette in Berwick stated, ‘We do not know how long we will survive’. Worryingly, he has already experienced a 20–30 per cent decrease in sales compared to last year and is having to cut staff.
Small business is more than just our favourite coffee store or where we like to get our Friday night fish and chips. Small business is the largest employer in our community, and if they go, many in the community will face potential unemployment.
The flow-on effect of the decline and loss of small businesses across Victoria will be truly devasting. While I encourage my constituents to shop local where appropriate and safe, it will prove harder as things develop and we are practising social distancing.
The state Labor government must act. We are the only state in Australia to not have a state stimulus package for small businesses. While many in the community are thankful for the federal Liberal government’s $17 billion stimulus package, the Labor government must act to help our small businesses get through these challenging times.
I am calling on the Premier and his government to stop ignoring our small business owners and employers and to act now as a matter of urgency to provide a stimulus package.