Urunga's pharmacist, Lee Grundy, says the Federal Government's $17.6bn coronavirus economic stimulus package offers much needed reassurance to small businesses like his Amcal Pharmacy.
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"From my point of view it is good to see the government doing something ... what this means is that I don't have to worry about wages if a staff member falls ill," Mr Grundy said.
"They can feel safe to stay at home and we can feel safe that we can look after our loyal staff.
"It also helps with cash flow at a time when our costs are rising rapidly - for example, the cost of hand sanitiser has tripled and it is difficult to get hold of. The government support means there is one less thing to worry about."
Mr Grundy also said the expansion of the instant asset write-off scheme was a good idea.
"I want to do a shop-fit here and this means I can plan ahead ... but first we need to get through the crisis at hand."
Outpost Hair's owner Hanna Lynch said the 50 per cent wage cover for apprentices was very helpful.
"We have not felt the effects just yet but who knows what lies ahead and wages are always the biggest strain on any small business," Ms Lynch said.
She also said the payment of up to $25,000 for eligible businesses that withhold tax to the ATO on their employees' salary and wages would help a lot.
"That means we can get 50 per cent back from the next two quarters of our BAS (business activity statement) ... that will get money into the account and give us cash flow.
"We are in unknown territory so this buffer is reassuring, it makes me feel much safer."
The asset write-off initiative also offered a ray of light: "We are in the process of renovating our Bellingen salon and we had thought we had better put it on hold but with this, we might still be able to go ahead."
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Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
