Victorian State Government, Over 110,000 Victorian Businesses are set to benefit from an additional $807 million worth of support, as the state continues to struggle with its suppression of the Delta covid-19 variant.

The support package was announced on Thursday 19^th August. The large majority of the new support package, paid for in partnership with the Commonwealth, will flow to the Business Costs Assistance Program, which received a $625 million cash injection. 

The newly announced program will offer payments of $5,600 or $2,800 per week to Victorian businesses who have been forced to close during lockdown, but continue to incur costs, and aims to prop up businesses across the state’s hospitality, non-essential retail, accommodation, events, and beauty industries. 

In a statement to the media, Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas said that the governments decision to provide more cash to businesses who have been impacted by the new lockdown illustrates that the government is responding swiftly and meaningfully to support businesses as conditions change. 

“The Victorian State Government recognizes the serious challenges faced by businesses as the community joins together to fight the Delta strain in Melbourne. Automatic payments mean money is transferred quickly to the accounts of businesses so they can continue to meet their commitments and plan for the future,” he said. “We are locking down so that when we open again, we give ourselves the best chance of staying open,” said Tim Pallas.

Victorian State Government and other State Governments Offer Mental Health Support To SMEs

Victorian State Government and other State Governments across the country are offering mental health resources for business leaders who are struggling with trying to remain profitable in the face of ongoing lockdowns occurring due to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.

Business leaders and peak industry representatives have both been reporting that the last 18 months have been the hardest many small business owners have ever faced.

“The stress involved in running your own business through these uncertain and changing times cannot be understated. We know that the best thing we can do for small businesses during these incredibly challenging and stressful times is to keep up our strong health response to allow for a strong economic response,” says Queensland’s Minister for Employment and Small Business, Di Farmer. 

Ms. Farmer noted that whilst economic support is crucial, there are other elements of support and assistance that many businesses need at the present time. She believes that there especially needs to be more mental health related resources provided to businesses to support them.

The need for mental health support is the reason why the Queensland Small Business Commissioner a role initially established under “The Covid-19 Emergency Response Act 2020” that has now been made permanent. Under the initiate the Queensland Mental Health Commission, Beyond Blue, and the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training will all work together on a practical guide to help small businesses navigating mental health concerns which have arisen as side-effects of the covid-19 pandemic.

Queensland Small Business Commissioner Maree Adshead revealed the plan, which is a revision of a similar guide released by the Victorian Small Business Commission, served as a roadmap for businesses to identify stressors and red flags, find available support and develop practical strategies.