With borders now open, the Western Australia Government has announced a Level 2 COVID-19 Business Assistance Package which includes $2.8 million of payroll tax relief for large hospitality businesses with payrolls of between $4 million and $20 million
However, the Australian Hotels Association of Western Australia says more will be required in the months ahead and has called on the federal government to support the state.
“None of the $12.59 billion delivered through the COVID Disaster Payment went to WA, so we believe now is the appropriate time for WA businesses to receive their fair share of Commonwealth support, which has been provided to other jurisdictions,” said CEO Bradley Woods.
“The AHA is advocating for a comprehensive, State and Commonwealth-funded support package that provides hospitality venues with the support necessary to ensure businesses remain solvent and jobs remain secure.”
Of the state government’s support packages, Mr Woods said that the industry is grateful but says that extra support will be required.
“There are serious concerns that the package may have set the qualifying bar too high and many hospitality venues may struggle to meet the criteria,” Mr Woods said.
“Those who have been genuinely impacted must be able to demonstrate a 50 per cent reduction in turnover, to a period in 2021 where pandemic restrictions were in place, and many businesses may not be able to demonstrate losses at that level.”
The AHA has asked the state government to adopt what it describes as a “more reasonable and flexible model comparing turnover with pre-COVID levels”.
