The Australian Industry Group has described the Victorian Government's industry package today as "just a beginning" of what will be needed by Victorian businesses as a result of the pandemic's crippling economic cost.
The Victorian Head of Ai Group, Tim Piper, said business will need significantly more help to get going again.
"We are extremely disappointed that the Government has only deferred payroll tax. It means this debt will continue to hang over businesses which may not have recovered enough by the time they need to repay the Government.
"This should have been a waiving of payroll tax offered to businesses across the board. It would provide a much needed injection of confidence when they are looking to re-invigorate their businesses.
"However, this is an important package and there are real positives being offered, including grants for small businesses, for the ski fields, export initiatives and digital support. Ai Group also welcomes the deferral of the increase in the State's landfill levy as a sensible policy decision.
"This is as much about jobs as it is about businesses. We hope the Government understands the severity of this recession and that businesses will have to use these funds to repay debt. The next stage is all about regenerating business and that will require an even greater contribution from Government.
"Ai Group last week outlined a series of measures which will get the economy going again including a focus on apprenticeships and youth unemployment. The best thing the Government can do is to remove the impossible targets it has set for restriction easing and work to get the border open with NSW," Mr Piper said.
