In joint media release today from Brendan O’Connor MP, the Shadow Minister For Small And Family Business and Senator Murray Watt, Shadow Minister For Disaster And Emergency Management they highlight the growing concerns that the Morrison Government’s bushfire recovery is not working
The release stated "New South Wales Liberal Minister Andrew Constance has confirmed what bushfire victims have been saying for weeks - the Morrison Government’s bushfire recovery is not working.
"Mr Constance, whose own electorate was ravaged by the bushfires, took to Facebook last night, saying: “I am having to fight hard to see better support for small business in our region after the devastating fires. At the forums I’ve been at over the past two nights, the plea for help from business is about protecting casual employees and the need for a cash injection now.”
Senator Murray Watt, Shadow Minister For Disaster And Emergency Management said "Whatever marketing lines the Prime Minister comes up with, the reality is his bushfire recovery package for small business is still failing to reach bushfire affected regions. That’s why Labor has been calling on the Government to deliver immediate assistance.
"Every day we hear from concerned small business owners and workers, from Bairnsdale to Ulladulla and everywhere in between, who have been waiting weeks for the Government to release desperately needed funding to keep themselves afloat.
Brendan O’Connor MP, the Shadow Minister For Small And Family Business supported the media release saying "Businesses have no cash flow to pay bills and workers have had shifts cancelled, or been put off entirely, due to the business downturn at what is normally the busiest time of the year.
"When Labor has tried to tell the Government their bushfire recovery isn’t working, they have accused us of politicising disasters.
"Perhaps the Prime Minister will start listening, now that a Liberal MP has confirmed what we’ve been saying.
"People in bushfire affected areas need real help, not more spin, and they need it now."
VIDEO: Mike Kelly MP posted on February 12th 2020
Follow up question on fire affected businesses
"Today I followed up my question to the Prime Minister last week regarding bushfire support for businesses, making him aware of Andrew Constance's comments also calling for more small business assistance.
The Prime Minister confirmed small businesses would not be receiving further support."
"I am pleased to say that further bushfire funding for our Council’s in Eden Monaro has been allocated in response to our calls for further help. The additional money will be allocated as follows:
$416k to Eurobodalla Council $300k to Bega Valley Shire Council $275k to Snowy Valleys Council $275k to Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council $225k to Snowy Monaro Council I will continue to pursue the drought assistance funding that should have been allocated to Eurobodalla, Queanbeyan Palerang and Yass Valley Councils, which have been in severe drought. I am also looking to get tourism assistance funding to support a program of events through to next summer.
