Henderson talks up stimulus’ impact on tourism regions

THE Coalition says businesses on the Great Ocean Road and the Bellarine affected by a downturn because of the coronavirus outbreak will benefit from a dedicated $1 billion in the recently announced economic stimulus plan, but it is not clear exactly how this will be done.

Announced last week, the $17.6 billion stimulus package focuses on supporting small business through direct cash payments to boost cash flow, wage subsidies for apprentices and trainees, expansion of the instant asset write-off and administrative relief from the Australian Tax Office.

Tourist numbers have dropped dramatically along the Great Ocean Road since the ban on visitors from China was introduced.

According to the Treasury’s website, the stimulus package includes $1 billion to “support those regions and communities that have been disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of the coronavirus, including those heavily reliant on industries such as tourism, agriculture and education”.

The website states this funding will include “additional assistance to help businesses identify alternative export markets or supply chains” and the development of “targeted measures to further promote domestic tourism”, but contains no further detail.

Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said she was delighted that a big part of this package was designed to “help small businesses including in regional areas, severely affected by the coronavirus outbreak, get back on their feet” but did not specify how the $1 billion would be spent.

“I’ll certainly be out and about talking to the local tourism industry about proposals and ideas which can be supported by this fund to protect jobs and keep businesses going through this difficult time.”

Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker welcomed the stimulus package. She said she wrote to the Prime Minister and Treasurer in mid-February urging them to provide a package of support and “would like to think that they listened to the information provided by local MPs about the experiences of businesses in our regions”.

“In relation to the $1 billion to support severely affected regions, we need more clarity on how this would work and I would again urge Scott Morrison to include the Great Ocean Road and Bellarine, who have seen a significant reduction in visitors.”