PATRICK Deegan, the Labor Candidate For Page in the upcoming Federal Election has slammed the Federal Government for failing to deliver to a JobSeeker support package for local businesses in the Northern Rivers.

He said that the unprecedented back-to-back-flood crisis has affected business across Northern NSW.

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In Lismore the floods have decimated the CBD and the industrial area of South and North Lismore – taking out the region’s primary business district and its economic engine.

Mr Deegan said, “Right across the region businesses have been wiped out – in towns like Kyogle, Coraki,
Woodburn, Broadwater and Wardell.

“Many businesses will be unable to trade for months, and many of those may not be able to survive,” he said.

According to Mr Deegan, without a JobKeeper-style support package, the Northern Rivers faces an economic tsunami on top of the devastating flood crisis.

He said the shortage of jobs, and the shortage of housing, will force many people to move out of the region.

Mr Deegan said, “Unions, businesses, and local Mayors have joined my call for a Federally-funded wage subsidy for disaster-affected areas.”

He said his Nationals opponent, the sitting Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, also said he supported
the proposal and had already been lobbying on the issue.

However, the Federal Budget however did not contain any mention of a wage subsidy for businesses impacted
by the catastrophic floods.

Mr Deegan said, “Our communities need action, not empty words.

“The Government’s failure to deliver a JobKeeper package will increase the likelihood that workers will become disconnected from their employers, businesses will struggle to reopen, and jobs will be lost, never to return.”

The office of the Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, was contacted for comment, but, owing to flood issues, did not respond prior to publication.

By Andrew VIVIAN