As the coronavirus is taking hold in Australia, the Federal Government is splashing the cash to try to lessen the impact on our economy.
The stimulus package comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially declared coronavirus a pandemic, sparking concern that both the Australian and worldwide economy will take a hit.
National Retail Association (NRA) CEO Dominique Lamb welcomes the measures aimed to protect businesses, saying they are essential in these uncertain economic times.
“With numerous economists forecasting that the uncertainty generated by coronavirus could tip the Australian economy into recession, measures to assist business could not come a moment too soon,” she says.
The package will come into effect next week and includes:
• Instant asset write-off threshold extended from $30,000 to $150,000, with turnover for eligible businesses extended from $50 million to $500 million until 30 June 2020.
• A 15-month investment incentive for businesses with a turnover of less than $500 million to deduct 50 per cent of the cost of an eligible asset on installation, with existing depreciation rules to apply.
• A payment of up to $25,000 for eligible SMEs with a turnover of less than $50 million that employ staff.
• A 50 per cent wage subsidy for eligible businesses that employ trainees or apprentices for up to nine months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020.
• A one-off $750 payment to social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders.
• A $1 billion payment to communities significantly affected by the coronavirus. This includes measures such as the waiver of fees and charges to tourism businesses in certain regions, assistance to help business find alternative export markets or supply chains, and administrative assistance from the ATO to affected businesses.
“Retailers will particularly welcome the increase to the instant asset write-off. This is a measure the NRA has been advocating for and is welcome news to SMEs across the country.
“The measure to accelerate depreciation deductions will encourage short-term business investment and spur economic growth which will be absolutely pivotal in averting a recession.”
Managing cash flow will be a major challenge for businesses in the coming period. Providing a stimulus payment to SMEs, coupled with the wage subsidy for trainees and apprentices, will help combat a decline in business confidence and help keep many retailers heads above water, Lamb adds.
“Ensuring that consumers keep spending is vital and the stimulus payments to lower income Australians will hopefully achieve that. We urge all Australian’s receiving this payment to not shy away from spending it at the shops to support jobs in retail.
“The NRA has already advocated for assistance to businesses hit by the coronavirus outbreak. Retailers in communities reliant on industries such as tourism have experienced a severe knock-on effect and we’re glad that assistance is on the way.”
