Many local businesses who suffered considerable damage during the recent floods are today angry at the Minns and Albanese Labor Governments for be left off Category D funding assistance, Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer said today.
“Whilst I very much welcome the additional funding for primary producers across the Port Macquarie electorate and beyond, it makes no sense that businesses have been left out in the cold.
“I have met with many businesses owners along Hastings River Drive, Settlement Point and some businesses in the CBD and they have been devastated not only by the floods but now by the lack support by these two levels of Government,” Mr Dwyer said.
Proprietor Craig Smith of the iconic Big Oyster in Port Macquarie says his businesses has lost thousands of dollars in stock, equipment and business.
“This is a huge slap in the face for struggling small businesses like ours and the many others impacted by the floods. It is hard enough to go through the myriad of paper work to apply for a Category C grant as well as being treated like you are trying to scam the Government for funding, when all we are doing is trying to get back on our feet to serve our local customers and to make a living. To now get this bad news really makes small business operators reconsider whether it is all worth it,” Mr Smith said.
Mr Dwyer said, “In contrast the Queensland LNP Government has today announced an additional support package for those affected by the recent Western Queensland floods that includes Community Health and Wellbeing grants, Tourism Industry grants and funding for small businesses to get back on their feet. None of this has been made available to our Mid North Coast communities.”
“Impacted primary producers and small businesses still have mortgages to pay, they still have to wages and taxes pay and they still have to put food on the table. Government’s need to change the way they look at this, rather than looking at it as a hand out, they should consider this as an investment.
“The multiplier affect of the taxes, transportation costs, wages and GST that theses businesses contribute towards goes into the pocket of Government and they need to remember this when these same businesses are crying out for help.
“I truly feel for these people and I will continue to advocate to get this either snub or oversight reversed so that small business is included in Category D funding assistance,” Mr Dwyer said.
