Government acknowledges initial compensation package was inadequate

24th February 2022

The Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Small Business Dr Steve Thomas says that the  Premier’s announcement today of an additional $67 million compensation package for businesses  impacted by his Government’s changing COVID rules is an acknowledgement that Dr Thomas was  right in calling the initial $77 million package announced earlier this week utterly inadequate. 

“I am pleased to have embarrassed the Government into further action given the paucity of their  initial offer” Dr Thomas said. 

“However, it demonstrates that business compensation in this state is an ad-hoc arrangement that is  conducted at the Premier’s whim, instead of being a standardised package based on proper research.” 

“And once again the application and approval process will mean the business community will have  to wait for weeks or months after the restrictions hit to even find out if they qualify.” 

“Business needs advance notice of the rules, especially when they keep changing those rules every  week, and business needs to know in advance how they will be supported.” 

Dr Thomas said that all businesses in Western Australia need certainty and consistency, because  they usually plan their operations weeks in advance. 

“Constantly changing the rules makes it harder for business to manage or survive, and the lack of  notice or warning is damaging, especially to small businesses who have limited capacity to adapt.”  

“A Government with more than $15 billion in expected surpluses can afford to adequately support  its business community; no jurisdiction in the country has more capacity to assist!” 

“So while I welcome the extra package, it is obvious that the Premier is making this up as he goes  along. There appears to be no plan for business impacts beyond the McGowan media strategy.” 

“That may work for him, but it does not work for the business community.” 

Ends.

Media contact: Dr Steve Thomas 0427 908 717