Extraordinary moment Scott Morrison is BLASTED for being ‘nowhere to be found’ and refusing to ‘step up’ during the Omicron surge as NSW gives struggling small businesses a $1BILLION lifeline
- NSW Treasurer has slammed the Prime Minister for being ‘nowhere to be found’
- Matt Kean criticised the leader for refusing to ‘step’ up as Omicron wreaks havoc
- Dominic Perrottet announced $1billion financial support package for businesses
- Small businesses will be provided with payments ranging from $500 to $5000
The NSW Treasurer has slammed Scott Morrison for being ‘nowhere to be found’ during the latest Omicron outbreak as a $1billion financial support package is announced for struggling businesses.
Matt Kean criticised the prime minister for refusing to ‘step up’ as the new variant tears across the country during a Covid press conference on Sunday.
The NSW Premier announced the scheme would include $700million for small businesses and would provide relief for landlords and the performing arts sector.
Eligible small businesses across the state will be provided payments of 20 per cent of their weekly payroll for the month of February, up to a maximum of $5000.
‘Our approach to the past continues through 2022, and that is to support and have the back of every business in the state,’ Dominic Perrottet told reporters.
The NSW Premier has announced a $1billion support package for businesses hard-hit by the Omicron outbreak as the state records its deadliest day of the pandemic
Eligible small businesses across the state will be provided payments of 20 per cent of their weekly payroll for the month of February, up to a maximum of $5000
‘No other jurisdiction in the country, no other jurisdiction, no other state, today, has provided financial support, except NSW.’
The package will provide support for employers to buy vital rapid antigen tests as businesses attempt to recover from the latest Omicron outbreak.
The grants ranging from $500 to $5000 will be implemented through a new JobSaver-like scheme and will be allocated through Service NSW.
Businesses will have to prove they suffered a 40 per cent loss through January and prove they can expect a similar hit in February.
The premier declared grants would be extended for landlords who provided their tenants with rent relief with businesses to expect payments within five to 10 days of submitting an application.
Mr Perrottet said the current small business fees and charges rebate would be increased from $2000 to $3000 and can be used to subsidise the cost of rapid antigen tests by 50 per cent.
Eligible small businesses across the state will be provided payments of 20 per cent of their weekly payroll for the month of February, up to a maximum of $5000
The announcement comes after the state recorded 13,524 new cases and 52 deaths on Sunday – marking NSW’s deadliest day in the Covid pandemic.
Mr Perrottet told Sky News on Sunday morning he expected the number of people dying with the virus would remain steady as the country braced for flu season.
He predicted it could be ‘difficult’ to curtail new cases in upcoming cooler months.
‘This is the new world,’ the premier said. ‘We expect those (death) numbers to stay pretty consistent.
‘We look at the evidence in front of us and find a balance between the health impact, economic impact, mental health impacts and tailor our settings.’
More than eight million rapid antigen tests have been distributed to over 3,000 NSW schools ahead of the return of term one of the year.
Education secretary Georgina Harrisson says the test distribution has been ‘one of the most challenging logistical undertakings in recent memory’.
More to come.
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