NSW GOVERNMENT BACKS BUSINESSES - BILLIONS IN TAX RELIEF AND NEW JOB FUND

The NSW Government today released the second stage of its economic stimulus package aimed at keeping people in jobs, helping businesses and supporting the state’s most vulnerable in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key elements of the NSW COVID-19 stage two package include:

• Keeping people in jobs and helping businesses stay afloat
• The creation of a $1 billion Working for NSW fund to sustain business, create new jobs and retrain employees. The fund is already being put into action with 1000 new staff for Service NSW announced this week to be funded by the program. The Working for NSW fund will comprise $750 million in new funding and $250 million announced last week for additional cleaning services.
• Deferral of payroll tax for business with payrolls over $10 million for six months (up to $4 billion deferred). Businesses with payrolls of $10 million or less received a three-month waiver on payroll tax in the first package. These businesses will now get an additional three month deferral as well.
• Deferral of gaming tax for clubs, pubs and hotels, and lotteries tax for six months, conditional on these funds being used to retain staff. This improves liquidity and helps these businesses stay afloat.
• Deferral of the parking space levy for six months.
• Deferral of rents for six months for commercial tenants with less than 20 employees in all Government-owned properties.

In terms of supporting the state’s most vulnerable, the NSW Government will provide a boost in funding to prevent homelessness, grow the Energy Accounts Payments Assistance Scheme, support charities and extend Lifeline’s operations.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government’s package will support employment, provide relief for business and protect those most in need.

“We will do whatever it takes to help businesses stay afloat so that they can hold onto as many jobs as possible as we get through this crisis. We will also be there to support those most vulnerable to ensure no one is left behind,” Deputy Premier Barilaro said.

Last week the State Government announced a $2.3 billion funding package which included a $700 million to boost health and $1.6 billion for tax cuts and job creation.

SUPPORT CHANNELS FOR NSW RESIDENTS NOW AVAILABLE
This week, the NSW Government also launched two updated resources for residents and businesses to provide current health guidance and a range of advice and support on non-health related COVID-19 enquiries:

• A dedicated helpline: 13 77 88
• A web portal with extensive resources on COVID-19: nsw.gov.au

ADDITIONAL SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES
The Commonwealth, and individual States and Territories continue to introduce new measures to slow the spread of the virus.

Today, the Prime Minister announced that the National Cabinet had determined all returning travellers arriving in Australia will be quarantined in hotels or accommodation facilities for 14 days, rather than self-isolating at home. This will come into effect from no later than Saturday 28 March at 11.59pm.

This week, new NSW Public Health Orders advise that caravan and camping parks must be closed (effective midnight Wednesday 25 March) except for the purpose of accommodating permanent residents of the caravan park. Read the Orders re: public gatherings here.

Destination NSW is liaising with the Government to fully understand this Order and protect people who travel without a fixed address, or people who are in the process of returning home. Please note people who have no permanent place of residence are permitted to stay in caravan parks as per the Order.

Further, several States and Territories have restricted border crossing this week to reduce movement between jurisdictions and, subsequently, reduce the risk of community infection. NSW has not introduced any border restrictions to date. For a summary of all border restrictions in place, see the Office of the NSW Border Commissioner advice.

Photo: Ivanhoe-Menindee Road, Ivanhoe