BARNABY Joyce's calls to end JobKeeper payments early is giving business owners in his own electorate the short end of the stick as far as Tamworth Business Chamber (TBC) president Jye Segboer is concerned.
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The local economy has battled four years of relentless drought coupled with a global pandemic, and the payments have been a lifeline for many who would have otherwise shut shop, Mr Segboer said.
"A lot were just breaking even or losing money last year, JobKeeper is allowing them to recoup that loss and keep staff on that they would have had to get rid of," he said.
"If we cut it off too quickly businesses will take action, terminate staff and the unemployment rate will rise.
"I would say to Barnaby Joyce that he needs to probably listen to constituents in his business community because this has been the lifeline they needed."
The Member for New England told the Leader this week that the $1500-a-fortnight wage subsidy for workers will damage the economy for years to come.
"Of course our hearts say that could work, but of course the accountant side of us says it can't, because it is money that is borrowed and money that has to be repaid," he said.
"One of the peculiar things people have got to understand is this money is borrowed from overseas and in many instances from China, which we have to pay back to them, yet that was the source of the disease in the first place."
As of Friday, hospitality businesses forced to shutdown as part of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's COVID-19 restrictions will be allowed to open with a total of 10 guests.
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Hospitality is the fourth largest employer in the region, Mr Segboer said.
The TBC has helped 60 businesses apply for JobKeeper, another 40 have made applications for the state government's small business grant.
Federal government figures show there are six million people receiving JobKeeper, after almost 600,000 jobs were lost in one month.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
