CORONAVIRUS —
SMALL BUSINESS —
GOVERNMENT GRANT
934. Mrs
A.K. HAYDEN to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Does the Premier acknowledge that there are a number of small businesses that
are carrying —
Ms R. Saffioti: What's
your policy?
Mrs A.K. HAYDEN: Will you
stop interrupting and bullying!
The SPEAKER: Members, it is
nearly Christmas. Minister for Transport, you are the only person to be called
to order today.
Mr P.A. Katsambanis: So far.
The SPEAKER: So far.
Mrs
A.K. HAYDEN: Does the Premier
acknowledge that a number of small businesses are carrying the financial burden
of the COVID-19 crisis? Do they not deserve financial assistance and why do
they not have the Premier's support?
Mr M.
McGOWAN replied:
We handed down the budget last month
and members might have noticed that we froze fees and charges for Western Australians. Members might also have
noticed that we gave every household, based upon a one-off windfall that we secured—the Bell payment—$600
off their electricity bill. I note the New South Wales government is giving
people $100 vouchers to buy a meal, which is completely debt funded, whereas
this state received a windfall of over $600 million
and it is giving it back to every electricity consumer across the state in a $600
grant on their Synergy bill. Then, earlier this year, as part of our
initial response to the COVID pandemic, we gave every small business across the
state on the Synergy tariff a $2 500 credit on their electricity bill. When it
comes to tourism businesses, we did a full analysis of those businesses that
were suffering, particularly those that relied upon international and
interstate tourists, and gave them financial support as part of the $15 million
or so package that the Minister for Tourism had put together. Then, on top of
that, we—the only government in Australia—went to travel agents
and asked how we could help and we gave travel agents across the state grants
of up to or above $10 000. Other governments across Australia have not done
that.
The Liberal Party's policy
is like a blunderbuss—fire it everywhere, give $10 000 to businesses
that may not need it, bankrupt the state as it did once before, and let COVID
back in. That is the Liberal Party's policy. Do not worry, we will make
sure Western Australians understand what the Liberal Party stands for every day
of the week between now and March.