"The Victorian Government's support package for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown is a welcome down payment that will somewhat soften the blow of the $2.5 Billion losses expected in just a week of tight restrictions," Tim Piper, the Victorian Head of the employer organisation Ai Group said today.
"The Government has acted swiftly to support companies with immediate losses. But the longer term arrangements must include additional support for rent, employee wages and loss of business activity.
"The Government is to be commended for offering the support to larger businesses than previously was the case.
"Businesses of all sizes have been affected by this lockdown and this support acknowledges that they have been severely impacted.
"The bigger issue will be if this lockdown is extended, as is being suggested by some. The longer it goes on the greater the impact on businesses of all sizes. Compared with the cost to business from the lockdown the relatively small amount of support offered will be quickly swallowed up if the lockdown continues beyond a week," Mr Piper said.
