Queensland business owners hit hard by the coronavirus will share in more than $27 million in State Government assistance.
The initiative is the biggest and richest package of measures offered by any government in Australia.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the economic impact on Queensland's tourism, agriculture, fishing and education sectors is comparable to any natural disaster.
"The overnight downturn in Chinese tourists, students and export markets is having enormous impact," the Premier said.
"This $27.25 million is a way of addressing some of those losses and setting us up for recovery once the virus is contained."
Highlights include:
- $7 million in international tourism promotion
- $4.8 million targeted for the Tropical Far North and Gold Coast regions
- Waiving fees for fishers
- Waiving fees associated with liquor licences
- Deferring tourism lease payments
- Rebates for marina and jetty fees
- Waive quota fees for rock lobster and coral trout
The Premier said they were practical and immediate measures but more needs to be done.
"The Federal Government should match my government dollar for dollar," the Premier said.
"The Morrison Government needs to get serious, acknowledge this crisis will have a significant impact on Queensland industry and step up for our business owners.
"Federal support would allow us to provide a $2,000 resilience grant for up to 6,000 small business owners and it would trigger $700,000 in export grants for small to medium enterprises allowing them to travel to China and reconnect with partners once borders re-open."
The Premier has today once again written to the Prime Minister asking him to reconsider his objection to activating Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements.
