PM unveils stimulus package to help business, households

The Federal Government has unveiled a $17.6 billion economic plan to bolster the Australian economy as the impacts of the coronavirus spread. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said up to 6.5 million individuals and 3.5 million businesses would be directly supported by the package. About 690,000 businesses across Australia will be able to get grants of $2000-$25,000 and the instant asset write-off threshold will lift from $30,000 to $150,000 . There is government support to safeguard the jobs of apprentices and a one-off $750 stimulus payment open to a range of welfare recipients. “Just as we have acted decisively to protect the health of the Australian people, based on the best evidence and medical advice, our support package responds to the economic challenges presented by this pandemic in a timely, proportionate and targeted way,” he said. The package has four parts: Supporting business investmentProviding cash flow assistance to help small and medium-sized business to stay in business and keep their employees in jobsTargeted support for the most severely affected sectors, regions and communities; Household stimulus payments that will benefit the wider economy The government described the measures as temporary, targeted and proportionate to the challenge faced. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces stimulus package. Delivering support for business investment $700 million to increase the instant asset write off threshold from $30,000 to $150,000 and expand access to include businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50 million) until 30 June 2020. For example, assets that may be able to be immediately written off are a concrete tank for a builder, a tractor for a farming business, and a truck for a delivery business.$3.2 billion to back business investment by providing a time limited 15 month investment incentive (through to 30 June 2021) to support business investment and economic growth over the short term, by accelerating depreciation deductions. Businesses with a turnover of less than $500 million will be able to deduct an additional 50 per cent of the asset cost in the year of purchase. Cash flow assistance for businesses $6.7 billion to boost cash flow for employers by up to $25,000 with a minimum payment of $2000 for eligible small and medium-sized businesses. The payment will provide cash flow support to businesses with a turnover of less than $50 million that employ staff, between 1 January 2020 and 30 June 2020. The payment will be tax free. This measure will benefit around 690,000 businesses employing around 7.8 million people. Businesses will receive payments of 50 per cent of their Business Activity Statements or Instalment Activity Statement from 28 April with refunds to then be paid within 14 days. $1.3 billion to support small businesses to support the jobs of around 120,000 apprentices and trainees. Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentice’s or trainee’s wage for up to 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. Where a small business is not able to retain an apprentice, the subsidy will be available to a new employer that employs that apprentice. Stimulus payments to households to support growth $4.8 billion to provide a one-off $750 stimulus payment to pensioners, social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders. Around half of those that will benefit are pensioners. The payment will be tax free and will not count as income for Social Security, Farm Household Allowance and Veteran payments. Payments will be from 31 March 2020 on a progressive basis, with over 90 per cent of payments expected to be made by mid-April. Assistance for severely-affected regions $1 billion to support those sectors, 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. This will include the waiver of fees and charges for tourism businesses that operate in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Commonwealth National Parks. It will also include additional assistance to help businesses identify alternative export markets or supply chains. Further plans and measures to support recovery will be designed and delivered in partnership with the affected industries and communities. https://www.facebook.com/scottmorrison4cook/videos/816014568874739/

PM unveils stimulus package to help business, households

Industry Queensland

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