Govt announces business bushfire assistance

The Morrison Government has today announced a comprehensive suite of measures to immediately support bushfire-impacted small businesses.

This initial package responds to the needs expressed by small businesses on the ground and at the small business roundtable last week which saw chambers of commerce from fire affected regions, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia come together with the Government to discuss the impacts of this natural disaster on small business.

The comprehensive package will make it easier for those who have suffered direct fire damage, or have been indirectly economically impacted following the bushfires, to get back on their feet.

The package deals with the challenges small businesses in these areas are facing, and will continue to face. The immediate priorities for small businesses include grant funding, concessional loans, tax relief, a dedicated and single contact point to help them access the support that is available, and financial counselling services that are targeted to help small and family business owners deal with the emotional and financial challenges they face.

Businesses that have sustained damage as a result of the fires will be able to access up to $50,000 in grant funding, or concessional loans of up to $500,000 for those who have suffered significant asset loss or a significant loss of revenue.

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has welcomed the new government measures to support the businesses affected by the bushfires.

“The new measures come as welcome news to affected Australian trucking businesses and will provide a great deal of assistance in getting them back on their feet,” ATA Chair Geoff Crouch said.

“Trucking is an industry of small businesses, accounting for 98 per cent of all trucking operators in Australia.

“The establishment of the Small Business Bushfire Financial Support Line will give small businesses the information they need to understand what support and assistance is available to them,” he said.

Mr Crouch added that the ATA General Council would meet today to discuss the need for immediate income support for trucking businesses who may not have been in bushfire zones but are still affected.

“Hundreds of trucking businesses have lost income as a direct result of the bushfire crisis, incurring additional costs and setbacks due to road closures and lengthy delays,” Mr Crouch said.

“Following our council meeting, the ATA will join a teleconference with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack to set out the trucking industry’s proposed assistance package for affected trucking businesses and employees,” he said.

Mr Crouch said the ATA had also been working with the Australian Tax Office to ensure trucking businesses who aren’t located in the bushfire affected postcodes but who have been affected can access tax relief.

“The ATA is on top of these issues and is taking action,” Mr Crouch said.

“We are working hard to make sure affected trucking businesses receive the greatest amount of support and assistance they possibly can,” he said.

For information regarding available assistance, head to www.bushfireinfo.business.