Mrs. Hayden questions the government's lack of immediate economic stimulus for small businesses facing economic hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Deputy Premier responds by highlighting the Premier's message of community support and existing stimulus packages.

AnsweredQoN 150Legislative Assembly
Asked
12 March 2020
Portfolio
Deputy Premier

QuestionView source ↗

CORONAVIRUS —
STIMULUS PACKAGE
150. Mrs A.K. HAYDEN to the Deputy Premier:
I refer to a public announcement by
FurBaby Cafe, and I quote —
We have � invested everything, to
fight against Western Australia's failing economy, in order to keep
FurBaby going and keep all the staff in employment. With the upcoming global
recession and coronavirus crisis upon us � we are shutting down �
Why is the government not
immediately instigating a broad-based economic stimulus package for small
businesses to deal with the failing economy and now the coronavirus pandemic?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for the question
because it really underpins the importance of the message that the Premier has
been providing to the Western Australian community. Unlike others who have a more,
shall we say, alarmist perspective on what members of the community should be
doing, the Premier's advice to the community has been resolute—that
is, this is not the time to walk away from your local cafe, this is not the
time to stop shopping at your local business and this is not the time to not go
about your lives normally; this is the time to continue to move around in your
community and support local businesses and shops. It is important that people
remember that COVID-19 will put pressure on us all, but the best way that the
community can respond to that is to continue to observe good, simple
instructions from the Chief Medical Officer, continue to make sure we practise
commonsense and continue to stay calm. Regrettably, there will be an economic
impact as a result of COVID-19, which is the reason that Western Australia is
so well served by the stimulus package that the government already has in
place. The commonwealth government is now joining us in providing support to
the local economy, and that is welcome, because it means that we have
governments of all levels and persuasions working together for a great outcome
for Western Australia. I just reiterate the words of the Premier: continue to
go about your lives as you have. Understand
the risk, listen to the message and act with commonsense, but above all,
continue to support your local businesses in your community.

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