❓ Mr. Catania questions the Minister for Small Business regarding the speed and fairness of the $4,000 cyclone Seroja small business grants in Kalbarri, criticising a 'one-size-fits-all' approach. The Minister responds by highlighting the extensive support provided, including joint recovery arrangements with the federal government.
AnsweredQoN 456Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CYCLONE SEROJA — SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS
456. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for Small Business:
I have a supplementary question.
This question is about the cyclone that hit Kalbarri, not about the pandemic or
COVID-19. This is about the $4 000 payment —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
North West Central, just sit for a moment. It is not for you to correct
something that the minister has said that you think has been misleading. It is
for you to ask a simple question. I will give you one last chance to just ask
the question.
Mr V.A. CATANIA : What
measures does the minister have to fast-track the progress of the recovery
process for Kalbarri, including undertaking a review of some of the
one-size-fits-all decisions made in relation to small businesses and their
eligibility for the $4 000 grant because of cyclone Seroja, not the pandemic?
456. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for Small Business:
I have a supplementary question.
This question is about the cyclone that hit Kalbarri, not about the pandemic or
COVID-19. This is about the $4 000 payment —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
North West Central, just sit for a moment. It is not for you to correct
something that the minister has said that you think has been misleading. It is
for you to ask a simple question. I will give you one last chance to just ask
the question.
Mr V.A. CATANIA : What
measures does the minister have to fast-track the progress of the recovery
process for Kalbarri, including undertaking a review of some of the
one-size-fits-all decisions made in relation to small businesses and their
eligibility for the $4 000 grant because of cyclone Seroja, not the pandemic?
AnswerView source ↗
Member, as I referred to in my
earlier answer, there has been enormous support for the communities of the
midwest both because of the pandemic and because of cyclone Seroja. This state
is facing dual challenges in that regard, especially
in the midwest, but the support that has gone to businesses throughout the
midwest has been overwhelming . It started on day one with Communities'
emergency support for businesses, for local communities and for families. We
understand that there is an urgent need to get accommodation in that area for a
workforce. Many tradespeople have already gone into Kalbarri, and, indeed,
across much of the midwest already, so we are seeing rebuilding. If the member has been to Kalbarri recently, he will
have noticed that a lot of the buildings have already been repaired . There is a lot more to go, but we are working, as
part of the joint recovery arrangement with the federal government , with $104-plus million, which is the biggest-ever
spend on disaster recovery in Western Australia's history. We are
working with our colleagues in the federal government, and we are working on
the ground with local councils and shire representatives. We are getting that
to provide accommodation for tradespeople when the rebuilding begins.
earlier answer, there has been enormous support for the communities of the
midwest both because of the pandemic and because of cyclone Seroja. This state
is facing dual challenges in that regard, especially
in the midwest, but the support that has gone to businesses throughout the
midwest has been overwhelming . It started on day one with Communities'
emergency support for businesses, for local communities and for families. We
understand that there is an urgent need to get accommodation in that area for a
workforce. Many tradespeople have already gone into Kalbarri, and, indeed,
across much of the midwest already, so we are seeing rebuilding. If the member has been to Kalbarri recently, he will
have noticed that a lot of the buildings have already been repaired . There is a lot more to go, but we are working, as
part of the joint recovery arrangement with the federal government , with $104-plus million, which is the biggest-ever
spend on disaster recovery in Western Australia's history. We are
working with our colleagues in the federal government, and we are working on
the ground with local councils and shire representatives. We are getting that
to provide accommodation for tradespeople when the rebuilding begins.
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