The NSW Labor Party is calling for more measures from the State and Federal Governments to support businesses and employees as the lockdown for Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast, is set to be extended for an indefinite period.
Leader, Chris Minns, said Labor supports the State Government’s decision to introduce further restrictions but the impact will be great on workers who have lost their hours or income, small businesses which have been asked to close, and tourism operators.
“With the lockdown set to continue, the NSW Government now must do more to help businesses and workers save their livelihoods,” he said.
Minns is calling for extended business support, including for businesses outside the lockdown regions which have been impacted, and also businesses below the $75,000 turnover cap on a case by case basis, for example, businesses who would be above the cap if not for COVID, or businesses who have only been trading for a limited period of time.
He is also calling on the Federal Government to reintroduce JobKeeper to support workers impacted by the restrictions.
“NSW cannot have an extended lockdown without JobKeeper in place,” he said.
“Without it, this health crisis will become a social and economic crisis.
“The Prime Minister must not turn his back on the nation’s biggest state during this crisis.
“JobKeeper would inject a billion dollars a week into NSW to keep our economy going.
“Without this support, the fallout from this lockdown will last longer and cut deeper.”
Minns called for employers to do the right thing and allow hundreds of thousands of tradespeople to get COVID-19 tested.
“NSW Health has recommended construction workers moving across multiple work sites get tested immediately,” he said.
“My concern is that many tradies will face pressure from their employers if they try to take time off work to get the test.”
Labor is also calling for: a tourism recovery plan; rent relief for small businesses; additional Dine & Discover vouchers for takeaway food during lockdown; and, a clear roadmap for the future.
Source:
Media releases, Jul 9 and 11
NSW Labor Party