COVID WRAP: WA records 617 COVID cases overnight as the opposition labels the state government's $67 million in business support evidence the initial package was "inadequate".
The state government has released another $67 million in business support as Western Australia recorded 617 new COVID cases, funding the opposition claims is evidence the government's initial package was "inadequate".
In a press conference this morning, Premier Mark McGowan confirmed 610 of the new cases recorded today were community infections, while seven were returned interstate travellers.
Today’s figures take the total number of active cases in WA to 2,147.
Meanwhile, the state has reached a third dose vaccination rate of more than 60 per cent for those aged 16 and over, with that number expected to climb to 71 per cent when WA reopens to the rest of the world next week.
With record numbers of COVID cases and businesses grappling with the reintroduction of public health measures, the state government has unveiled a new small business support package to assist the continuation of trade.
The $67 million package, which comprises eight programs, includes a $42 million relief scheme for eligible small business tenants and $10.7 million in grants for landlords who voluntarily match the government's payments.
It also features a rental credit scheme by which those in government-owned buildings can obtain rental credits of up to $6,000.
The package also includes $11.6 million for the hospitality and events industry, with grants to support the expansion of alfresco areas, the waiving of licensing fees and support venues operating amid restrictive capacity limits.
There is also funding offered for business counselling services.
With caseloads increasing and public health measures in place to manage the spread, Mr McGowan said the state government expected some businesses were bracing for declines in revenue.
“It’s clear that cases are rising dramatically and it's clear we’re not far away from recording upwards of 1,000 new cases a day," he said.
“This is not cause for panic, but it is a reminder to take this pandemic seriously.
“For the past two years, WA has recorded some of the best economic results in the nation.
“Out of all of the states, we’ve had the strongest jobs growth, the lowest unemployment rate and the highest participation rate.
“Unfortunately, due to the current Omicron outbreak, WA is subject to some of the same uncertainty as the east coast.
“Even with public health measures, businesses will be subject to outbreaks and customers may choose to stay home and supply chains may be disrupted.
“It’s going to be a bumpy and uncertain time, especially for businesses.
“There is nothing to stop you from attending restaurants and cafes and going on holiday, but some people are deciding not to do that, and that’s what this support package is about.”
The new package comes just days after the state government released its initial package of $77 million.
Business support inadequate, ad-hoc: Thomas
Though the assistance was welcomed by state's chamber of commerce and industry, Small Business spokesperson Steve Thomas said the announcement vindicated his comments earlier in the week and were an acknowledgement the initial funding was "inadequate".
He said it demonstrated that business compensation was being issued on an ad-hoc basis, instead of being based on proper research.
“Once again, the application and approval process will mean the business community will have to wait for weeks or months after the restrictions hit to even find out if they qualify," he said.
“Business needs advance notice of the rules, especially when they keep changing those rules every week, and business needs to know in advance how they will be supported.”
Dr Thomas said businesses needed greater consistency if they were to manage and survive the COVID pandemic, claiming the everchanging rules and lack of warning was damaging, particularly to small businesses unable to adapt.
“A government with more than $15 billion in expected surpluses can afford to adequately support its business community; no jurisdiction in the country has more capacity to assist," he said.
“So while I welcome the extra package, it is obvious that the Premier is making this up as he goes along.
"There appears to be no plan for business impacts beyond the McGowan media strategy.
“That may work for him, but it does not work for the business community.”
