Western Australia’s big budget surplus should outrage small business

11th September 2021

The Shadow Minister for Small Business Dr Steve Thomas said the WA State Budget released  on Thursday is a slap in the face to small businesses who were denied compensation for  Government imposed COVID shut downs. 

“Every industry sector and small business that was denied support will be rightfully angry when  they remember the statements by the Premier and Minister for Small Business that the  Government couldn’t afford to compensate all impacted business” Dr Thomas said. 

“Now they are told that the budget surpluses will reach $15 billion over five years and the  Government is so flush with cash it is having to store it away because it can’t find ways to spend  it immediately.” 

“Small business and we the Opposition have been calling for a standardised and equal  compensation scheme for months; a scheme that treats all small businesses from all areas of the  state equally” Dr Thomas said. “Instead, the Government has provided a piecemeal scheme that  rewards some industries and specific regions but excludes others.” 

Allied health providers are one group that was excluded from the last round of COVID support,  but many others have also missed out. 

“Those people who missed out and were told by the Minister for Small Business that the reason  they did so was the need for budget control must now be livid” Dr Thomas said. 

“The Government has known the state of budget for months, despite their refusal to share that information with the Opposition or the public, and to deny businesses who could prove they were  impacted equal and just support is appalling.” 

On the 20th of July when asked why lots of businesses were missing out on COVID  compensation Minister Whitby told Perth radio “we are dealing with taxpayer’s money, we need  to be prudent” and that the Government needed to “make sure we’re not just simply dolling out  cash”. 

“With a $5.6 billion surplus in one year, Small Business Minister Reece Whitby and the Premier  can no longer suggest that keeping a lid on spending in the budget is a valid reason for the  Government limiting support grants to any business who needs it” Dr Thomas said. 

“They Government may not be dolling out cash to businesses who need it, but they sure are  rolling in it.”

Media contact: Dr Steve Thomas 0427 908 717