THE recent ‘surge’ in NSW State Grants continues next week with the introduction of a new NSW Government support payment of up to $5000 per week for small businesses.

While Coffs Coast small businesses adversely affected by COVID-!9 over the summer can apply for the grants a cloud hangs over what some are calling the ‘restrictive’ criteria for the grants.

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Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the Small Business Support Program will provide cashflow assistance to help local businesses get through the current COVID-19 outbreak and keep workers employed.

“The payment for employing businesses will cover up to 20 percent of weekly payroll, up to a maximum of $5,000 per week. Eligible non-employing businesses, such as sole traders, will receive $500 per week,” Mr Singh said.

But Coffs Harbour Labor spokesperson Tony Judge said, “The number of businesses that are able to access the funding will be limited.”

Mr Judge said that while “some local businesses will get some welcome relief”, Premier Dominic Perrottet’s “premature easing of Covid restrictions in December” had contributed to the downturn for local businesses.

”The loss of business, particularly vital Christmas trade, was made worse by our Premier’s ill-advised ‘Freedom Day’ and his stubborn refusal to reintroduce Covid prevention measures,” Mr Judge said.

Mr Singh claimed people “chose to stay at home” during the summer Omicron wave and this “hit many small businesses in the community hard, especially in the hospitality and tourism sectors”.

“The Omicron variant was already well established by the time (Perrottet) shut the stable door,” said Mr Judge.

“Now we are spending taxpayer funds and growing the State debt in a limited attempt to make amends.”

Mr Singh claimed the Small Business Support Program was about “making sure businesses that are viable over the medium and long term get through Omicron in good shape so we can bounce back better as case numbers fall”.

“The Service NSW Business Concierge team and grant assessors are standing by ready to assist customers,” Mr Singh said.

“It is hard not to be cynical about the motivation for the sudden surge of State Grants in the lead up to the Federal Election,” Mr Judge said.

“It looks suspiciously like our tax dollars in NSW are being used to shore up support for the Morrison Government.

“At the very least, these grants should be accompanied by an apology from the NSW Premier for his role in causing the loss of trade that has led to so much stress on local businesses.”

By Paul FOGARTY